Rafa Benitez is hoping he will get some decent transfer funds to spend from Mike Ashley for the first time in four transfer windows this summer.
The manager deserves that for the fantastic job he’s done over the last two seasons and particularly this season, but for his expertise and experience – we could be a Championship club again.
Rafa wants to bring in some really class player this summer and to do that he will have to sell some players and have quite a clearout this summer to free up the wage bill.
Chancel Mbemba – should move to rekindle his career
Jesus Gamez, Sadio Haidara, and Curtis Good have contracts that are up at the end of June, and they will not be renewed.
Other players who could move include Rolando Aarons, who has had only a so-so loan spell at Hellas Verona this year.
Rafa doesn’t rate Henri Saivet, and he will be available as will local lad Jack Colback.
Nottingham Forest want to buy Jack, but he may try to hold out and get a loan deal because his contract still has one year to run on Tyneside.
Newcastle could expect around £5M or more for Colback if we can sell him this summer.
Chancel Mbemba just doesn’t seem to fit in under Rafa, and for his own sake he needs to move on this summer – maybe to another Premier League side.
Aleksandar Mitrovic will be sold and if he can help Fulham will the playoff final against Aston Villa on 26th May the Cottagers will be the first in line to buy him.
Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic also wants Dwight Gayle at Fulham should they be promoted.
Gayle is a tough one for Rafa because he’s improved a lot this year, but he cannot seem to score goals in the Premier League.
These nine players are very likely to leave Newcastle this summer.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
PS – I knew I would miss an obvious one – goalkeeper Matz Sels is likely to sign permanently for Anderlecht this summer so that makes 10 – and at least another £5M in the coffers.
92 comments so far
Jib
May 16, 2018 at 1:05 PM
Comment #1Dubs effectively signed for us in Jan
Loan with an option to buy which we have invoked
In these circumstances the window is just for registration
purposes.
RobLeenio
May 16, 2018 at 1:12 PM
Comment #2What this will do is increase the strength of Rafa’s hand, particularly if West Ham approach the club for permission to speak with him. Marco Silva will fill the Everton slot, I think, unless he’s been appointed elsewhere since leaving Watford.
NUFCadon
May 16, 2018 at 1:12 PM
Comment #3I see Ritchie has pulled out of the Scotland squad with a knee injury
Jib
May 16, 2018 at 1:12 PM
Comment #4We bought Christian Atsu for £6m on the 23 May 2017
Jib
May 16, 2018 at 1:13 PM
Comment #5I don’t think Matt fancies Peru and Mexico in June
DubaiMicky
May 16, 2018 at 1:15 PM
Comment #6Manuel Pellegrini 2/1 ON to be next Hammers manager.
RobLeenio
May 16, 2018 at 1:26 PM
Comment #7Wow, Micky – your mood has swung a long way in an hour.
😉
DubaiMicky
May 16, 2018 at 1:30 PM
Comment #8Not really RobLeenio, the previous one was a wind up for some of the more gullible ones on here. (Did you realise the word “gullible” isn’t in the Oxford English Dictionary)?
I can’t see Rafa going anywhere tbh.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 16, 2018 at 1:33 PM
Comment #9I swear Ed had a similar topic last summer stating “Rafa eyes massive clearout”
I don’t think it was that massive 😉
Jib
May 16, 2018 at 1:34 PM
Comment #10Mr Tuff jumps in with both feet gleefully
pointing out what he mistakenly believes
is an error.
When he gets shown up to be as thick
as pigshit he disappears for a week or two.
😀
Jib
May 16, 2018 at 1:36 PM
Comment #11Did You Know “Gullible” is Not in the Dictionary?
It’s one of the oldest jokes in the book, often told by kids
Bobbybee
May 16, 2018 at 1:37 PM
Comment #12Tammy tap in scored a lot of goals for Bristol, but not one over twelve yards out. I said then he won’t get tap ins in the PL and so it proved.
Arma scores from anywhere. Check out the quality of the goals, not just the quantity. Given the choice, there isn’t one imo.
Arma has the potential to be a great player. He has immense pace and is a natural finisher. We surely have to give him chance to prove himself? As a home grown youth he gets a free ride anyway.
I’ve personally watched him since he was 16, home and away. Imo he’s the best to come through our academy in decades. He could save us a small fortune. Give the kid a chance, he won’t let us down and everyone will be happily surprised. He’s a natural goalscorer. They’re hard to find. Don’t let this one slip through our fingers. We will regret it.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 16, 2018 at 1:37 PM
Comment #13The tone has massively improved on here over the last few days…
…a guess why that is 😉 I wonder (not really)
lochinvar
May 16, 2018 at 1:38 PM
Comment #14Sam Allardyce to West Ham & David Moyes to Everton…….would be a wonderful scenario to behold. Won’t happen but it was briefly amusing
NezzaNUFC
May 16, 2018 at 1:39 PM
Comment #15Fat Sam and Moyes have been sacked!
Do we need to worry about this considering both WHU and Everton want Rafa?
RobLeenio
May 16, 2018 at 1:42 PM
Comment #16Groans and holds his head in his hands….
Bobbybee
May 16, 2018 at 1:43 PM
Comment #17Talksport have virtually installed Rafa in the West Ham hotseat already ffs. I mean, why would he stay at Newcastle when he can go to West Ham? It’s in London after all. We all know the world ends at Watford Gap.
Failing that, apparently he’s off to Everton. Jesus wept, you couldn’t make it up – except they are, obviously.
They must have missed the bit where Rafa clearly states he’s only talking to one club.
The sooner Ashley sorts this out the better. Just agree with Rafa and give him the cheque book.
c-dog
May 16, 2018 at 1:43 PM
Comment #18Surely Joselu has to go
DubaiMicky
May 16, 2018 at 1:45 PM
Comment #19Anyone see Mito’s tweet?
“I don’t think I’ve played in front of better fans tonight” #ffc
Well I think we can assume he’s not coming back then.
Bobbybee
May 16, 2018 at 1:47 PM
Comment #20Is that because I’ve been posting Jesper? 🙂 I suspect not. Go on then, you’re dying to tell us. Why has it been better? 🙂
Bobbybee
May 16, 2018 at 1:50 PM
Comment #21Mickey, he must have a short memory then mate! Fulham’s fans are one of the most boring sets of supporters in the country. And don’t get me started on those bloody clappy things!! Plastic atmosphere.
Oldgit1
May 16, 2018 at 1:52 PM
Comment #22Have a feeling West Ham is holding back on Moyes future and other managers that they are considering for 10 days at least, is to see how talks go between Charnley and Rafa. Or should that be between Ashley and Rafa.
Thinks West Ham are desperate for Rafa to be their manager. Can’t see it myself.
Bobbybee
May 16, 2018 at 1:59 PM
Comment #23Oldgit1, can’t see it mate. Sullivan and Gold are like a box of foxes – not any better than Ashley really. They’ve lied to everybody to get their own way. Not the place for his project for sure. Their own fans smashing up their ground won’t endear him to them either.
He wants to be here. It’s just down to what Ashley will give him. I suspect they’ll find a middle ground eventually, but obviously the sooner the better. Need to hit the transfer market the second it opens.
Oldgit1
May 16, 2018 at 1:59 PM
Comment #24@ bobbybee pleased to see you are back posting mate.
Rafa also stated he wants to stay in England, so I can understand why West Ham could be hoping that talks with NUFC will break down. 6m buyout clause will not be a problem to them.
I would prefer to hear off Rafa than local media, or rumours.
I’m quite relaxed that Rafa will stay with us, he ain’t going to get the reception from us from other clubs esp West Ham supporters
RobLeenio
May 16, 2018 at 2:02 PM
Comment #25Arsenal look to be appointing Mikel Arteta. Bit random, isn’t it?
NUFCadon
May 16, 2018 at 2:04 PM
Comment #26No Shelvey or Lascelles in the world cup squad
lochinvar
May 16, 2018 at 2:05 PM
Comment #27Shelvey didn’t make the England squad
England ‘s coming home, we’re coming home etc etc etc
Bobbybee
May 16, 2018 at 2:05 PM
Comment #28No place for either of our lads. Chinless wonder.
Jib
May 16, 2018 at 2:05 PM
Comment #29Shelvey doesn’t make the WC squad
lochinvar
May 16, 2018 at 2:07 PM
Comment #30Goalkeepers: Butland,Pickford, Pope
Defenders: Walker, Trippier, Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Cahill, Jones, Maguire, Young, Rose
Midfielders: Dier, Delph, Henderson, Loftus-Cheek, Lingard, Alli, Sterling
Forwards: Kane, Rashford, Vardy, Welbeck
NezzaNUFC
May 16, 2018 at 2:07 PM
Comment #31All eyes on the media this week!
Could Wenger be tempted to go to WHU or Everton?
Will Rafa sign for us this week?
Will Rafa make a public statement apologising to fans that Ashley didn’t meet his demands as to why he jumped ship?
I know which one I would bet on?
That’s right the first one 😉
NezzaNUFC
May 16, 2018 at 2:09 PM
Comment #32Never liked Southgate and his feeling is mutual when it comes to Newcastle!
Bobbybee
May 16, 2018 at 2:10 PM
Comment #33Could be a blessing in disguise anyway. If either had a great tournament they would be tempting Ashley to sell.
Southgate truly is clueless. He even looks gormless. How does the likes of Maguire get in ahead of Lascelles though? The mind boggles. Gonna be another crap World Cup for us. Some things simply never change.
DubaiMicky
May 16, 2018 at 2:11 PM
Comment #34Southgate hasn’t been to SJP all season.
AncientC
May 16, 2018 at 2:12 PM
Comment #35England was pretty much done when Capello walked. Southgate is just a surface problem.
It truly is a sad day for English international football. Watch as compulsive cheat Dele Alli is held up as one of the posterboys of England now. It wouldn’t be the FA it is wasn’t backwards.
NezzaNUFC
May 16, 2018 at 2:12 PM
Comment #36Bobby
The real question is… was it the FA who picked this team or Southgate!?
lochinvar
May 16, 2018 at 2:13 PM
Comment #37Well the BBC haven’t got round to reporting the squad yet where as Sky did sometime ago now…..and the five players on standby are ?????
AncientC
May 16, 2018 at 2:14 PM
Comment #38Capello speaking after he quit the England job:
“”I acted the way I always have in football,” said Capello today. “I cannot permit interference from the FA in my work. I have always been clear who should manage the team and the dressing room, and who has to take decisions.”
Says it all…
NezzaNUFC
May 16, 2018 at 2:15 PM
Comment #39Loch
Probably 5 injured players who are due back shortly!
Pottsclock
May 16, 2018 at 2:16 PM
Comment #40That England midfield has pacing midfielders and defensive midfielders with (arguably) only Henderson as a passer. So 2 things
1. Not enough variety to change things if we’re in trouble.
2. 5-3-1-1 formation with Ali behind Kane/Vardy, or 5-4-1