CalcioMercato are reporting today that Newcastle target Dennis Praet is likely to be a target of Italian club Inter-Milan this summer.
Newcastle have been linked with Praet since early 2016, even before Rafa Benitez arrived at the club,
But Rafa rates the 24-year-old once capped Belgian International playmaker highly.
Praet joined Sampdoria from Anderlecht almost two years ago, and Rafa made an effort to sign him last summer.
It was not possible because even though he was one of Rafa’s top targets – Newcastle couldn’t afford him.
How many times have we heard that one?
Dennis Praet – Newcastle summer target
Praet has played well at Sampdoria, and during his time there he’s appeared 68 times with two goals and four assists.
Rafa wants to improve the creativity of the Newcastle midfield and it’s expected that Rafa will bring in a central attacking midfielder to challenge Jonjo Shelvey next season.
And central midfielder Jack Colback’s career at his hometown club appears to be over.
Former Anderlecht star Dennis Praet would be a good signing but the question will be how much is he valued at by Sampdoria.
In January there were reports that Juventus had agreed a deal to sign him for less than the €25M release clause reported to be in his contract.
At the time Praet did not deny the Juventus interest and told Tuttosport this when asked about the Italian giant’s interest:
“Yes, but it wasn’t like they wrote, that everything is done,”
“The interest of Juventus is pleasing but they’re just words for now.”
“I’m very happy here, even though things have gone less well in recent times.”
Playing well in Serie A seems to be attracting some top Italian clubs to Praet.
We’ll have to see if Rafa still rates the player as a top target and that will depend on the transfer funds he is given by the owner for this summer.
But Rafa definitely wants a playmaker brought in this summer.
Whether we will be able to afford Praet could become the question to be answered.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
145 comments so far
carltoon
May 20, 2018 at 6:58 PM
Comment #1Well done the under 23 team in Hong Kong. If only we had an owner who wanted to win something for the first team. I’ll dream on.
Jail for Ashley
May 20, 2018 at 6:59 PM
Comment #2Jiblets,
John Terry may well kick his last ball in the PL, like Craig Bellamy he also dropped down a division to play regular football.
Please let the “footy” people do the talking and you stick to Google
magscar
May 20, 2018 at 7:04 PM
Comment #3hibbit
jib has kindly helped me out on last thread in responding to the tired old rhetoric so i won’t bother other than to say just because I don’t display the amount of vitriol and bitterness that many on here cannot get beyond does not make me Pro Ashley. I am a lomgstanding STOIC as with all the other owners we have been blessed with and I am sure given your age you have experience of.
Actually no – grow up! you are no better than those calling other posters trolls Mackems as a reflex action – I had thought better of you
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
May 20, 2018 at 7:05 PM
Comment #4Stats aren’t mind blowing to say the least but sounds like he’s probably the level that is the absolute pinnacle of our ambitonless owners spending limit – around £15 – £17.5 million. These days that gets you 2 goals and 4 assists in 68 games, in a slower less competitive league.
Torres on the other hand I would welcome with open arms, create the chances and he can finish, even without the pace he used to have 10 years ago. Unfortunately for us he should be viewed as a competing second striker, whereas if he did arrive he would be the marquee sigining.
Does anyone else remember that term? Marquee signing?… last time I remember that being used when we still tried to convince ourselves Ashley had ambition. He almost signed Modric you know…
OneAlanShearer
May 20, 2018 at 7:06 PM
Comment #5Ok going for what I think would be a rafa minimum. Dubravka, a full back, a centre back, a dm, playmaker cover, a number 10!!!!, Kenedy or a n other winger, 2 strikers….9 in lots out.
hibbit
May 20, 2018 at 7:10 PM
Comment #6magscar
cheap shot from you there !!
if i’m so wrong why do so many on here read it as that ????
you continue to fight Ashley’s corner along with your new best mate jib
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
May 20, 2018 at 7:16 PM
Comment #7I think realistically we will see 4 or 5 in – and 3 or 4 out – I think it will be too difficult this summer with the shorter window and World Cup to expect much more than that – not to mention our lack of budget.
In my opinion if we drop the majority of our budget on Kenedy and a striker, we can look to get players of the Merino / Lejeune Ilk with whatever is raised from sales – likely around £20 mill. maybe 2 or 3 of those and that will be our lot.
Bobbybee
May 20, 2018 at 7:18 PM
Comment #8Wonder what Villa’s books are like? They came down with us and spent a bit too. They spent again last season but still have some big wage earners on their books. Sounds like they’ve gambled on promotion – we might get to witness what happens when that gamble fails? Got to fancy Fulham on form.
Just for arguments sake assume the books are right and we were gambling on promotion and Ashley actually did something right – come on, you can do it – wouldn’t it have saved a lot of grief if they’d just explained it to us? Or at least to Rafa.
Something like ‘Rafa actually has had every penny, but here’s why it isn’t much…’
How hard would it be? An email to ST holders, or a statement on NUFC TV? Just keeping us properly informed would go a long way towards understanding. We deserve that much at least.
DubaiMicky
May 20, 2018 at 7:21 PM
Comment #9So the EPL ens on a Sunday, the Transfer window opens 4 days later and closes a day or so before the new season starts.
So when is Rafa going on holiday?
Jib
May 20, 2018 at 7:22 PM
Comment #10hibbit
your new best mate jib
that is so Jail for Ashley
how old are you 9? 10?
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 7:25 PM
Comment #11http://www.brucesallan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/cool-best-father-baby-funny-photography-chicquero-house-cleaning.jpg
Meanwhile in Denmark.
magscar
May 20, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Comment #12hibbit
Please read my posts properly ( not just today). I find calling me Pro Ashley a cheap shot and I honestly had thought you were a better poster than resorting to that tired old response to someone who refrains from bleating on about Ashley as nauseum.
I came through an era of protests inside and outside the ground, shouting sack the board and save our seats etc and got nowhere and have just grown up in some respects – wife reckons I haven’t as far as NUFC is concerned!.
SJH changed club ( not fans) as Bobby has said and made a profit but at least we benefitted but I won’t forget he sold us out to Ashley knowing his motive in buying!!
I look forward to when Ashley goes but have more to say than “get out of our club you fat slug” just to feel better or be one of the lads – yes I feel I am better than that – pity more couldn’t find a way to simply support Rafa and help him fight our battles.
As for Jib he is just another regular poster, who does make me cringe at times, puts up sometimes interesting finds on Google, makes good points fom time to time and sometimes skewers those who need it. I have no friends on here I don’t know anyone but I have no axe to grind with Jib and where he is out of line there is usually a big queue to join to dish it out.
Bobbybee
May 20, 2018 at 7:31 PM
Comment #13Mickey, he works for Ashley – he doesn’t get paid holidays. It’s all in the smallprint – the bit written in Mandarin.
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
May 20, 2018 at 7:33 PM
Comment #14Bobby – I think the bottom line is that they simply don’t care. Ultimately if the club is spending its time and effort in manipulating its financial statement to showcase the absolute worst case it can be construed as, then it isn’t going to put supporters wants / needs very high on the list of importance.
Bobbybee
May 20, 2018 at 7:39 PM
Comment #15Geremi, aye, I get it mate, but you would’ve thought there should be rules set in place. Although I suppose it’s a very subjective issue. Who decides I suppose. Didn’t really think that through did I? 🙂
magscar
May 20, 2018 at 7:41 PM
Comment #16Bobby
I fancied Fulham last season and they came a cropper in Semi’s! I would rather they came up than Villa and yes I reckon the latter could be in the clarts if gamble doesn’t pay off. Still rankles the vIlla fans enjoying our demise !st time around and not over ridden by Grealish’s equiliser handing us title on last day of last season.
Fulham seemed to have regained some form just in time and have the MIghty Mitro. Villa defended well against Boro but they didn’t exactly take game to them.I suspect Fulham will be a different quality in attack and Terry and Chester will have more of a battle on their hands
Jib
May 20, 2018 at 7:43 PM
Comment #17Aves just beat Sporting in the Taca de Portugal
(their cup final) against all the odds
Is it any wonder when Sporting’s players get
chinned by hooded assailants at their training ground
magscar
May 20, 2018 at 7:49 PM
Comment #18Bobby
Club has become a lot better under Rafa – Wor Flag, Anniversary pack and free flags, generally allowing fans to reconnect positively at matches etc but I agree a little more transparency and clarification would help either through Fans Forum, program. email shot or using Chronicle rather than bland and open to misinterpretation statements that we currently suffer.
magscar
May 20, 2018 at 7:51 PM
Comment #19OMG that last post must have come across as seriously Pro Ashley – as if a little transparency could be a little more than a sticking plaster on the massive wound that stems from Ashley’s heinous crimes – mea culpa
🙂
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 7:53 PM
Comment #20Bobby@8……….. Spot on. A little bit of empathy and common courtesy and would cost nothing. It’s just a little show of respect that would be welcomed by his paying customers.
Bobbybee
May 20, 2018 at 7:53 PM
Comment #21Mags, aye, I fancy Fulham too mate. They’re on a roll really. Going to be a good game but I think Fulham will win. Then yeah, we’ll see at what cost to Villa. Looking at ours, theirs could well be scary. They’ve had two seasons of it.
Crazily, Sunderland’s parachute payment will probably be worth the most. That’s a lot of money to build a First Division team with.
Bobbybee
May 20, 2018 at 8:01 PM
Comment #22And I said that with a straight face. Honestly I did. Really.
Well maybe there was just a twitch at the corner of my mouth – after I’d stopped laughing. Sunderland. First Division. Two words that alone mean little, but when combined are still very funny. 🙂
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 8:02 PM
Comment #23If Villa don’t win next week and need to sell a few players, then as I mentioned a few weeks ago, Grealish might be worth a look. He seems to have finally grown up and decided to be a footballer.
Jib
May 20, 2018 at 8:07 PM
Comment #24Kenedy’s song
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 8:11 PM
Comment #25Betsy…I wonder how you were getting along on https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-8-websites-senior-citizens-obtain-basic-internet-computer-skills-si/?
Do you find it difficult cause I can see you are back to basic with copy pasting!
You should check out that Meganza website it’s online computer training for seniors and beginners and it’s arranged in a blog-styled layout. Just up your alley
?
(I may be chuckling a bit here…)
dig-n-dig22
May 20, 2018 at 8:15 PM
Comment #26Tunski# 92 previous thread
“Dig how much are we worth without Rafa?.
Without Rafa. We slot back into the usual and wait for the inevitable, next time we won’t be coming back, we join the other relics in the Champo, Leeds,Norwich,Derby,Ipswich.
magscar
May 20, 2018 at 8:17 PM
Comment #27Betty
Watched the 2 semi’s involving VIlla and I thought Grealish had matured and figured quite a bit in the 2 games. Mouthy but not the only one,
Don’t know what he would cost and Rafa is going to have to juggle whatever his budget is (thought to be). Would he have been on Rafa’s preferred list already? Is he adding to it depending on WC or matters like Fulham or Villa not coming up or is it set in stone for this round?
Mind as I said this weekend we are going to have so many paper links and there is no real point in speculating who might be on list. Improved player though and possibly going to fulfil his potential but could be another Wilshere?
Bobbybee
May 20, 2018 at 8:20 PM
Comment #28Betty, not for me mate. Disruptive influence and not worth the gamble. Differing opinions, no big issue. I see why you say it and he might become a good player, but our squad is really tight knit from what I can gather, so is it worth the risk of disruption for someone who already thinks he’s made it?
One for Rafa to decide anyway. I will bow to his greater wisdom, with a raised eyebrow, if he buys him. 🙂
Jib
May 20, 2018 at 8:21 PM
Comment #29https://www.premierleague.com/news/691860?sf189913763=1
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 8:25 PM
Comment #30Lets just hope Rafa gets a real budget this time so here can prepare a shortlist of players that consist of more than one forward so we won’t have a Abraham incident again!
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 8:25 PM
Comment #31here = he
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 8:27 PM
Comment #32…and please don’t spend the budget on one player so we’re stuck with another Joselu!
…we can always loan a Slimani 😉
I am only laughing cause we somehow pulled off a #10 finish!
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 8:32 PM
Comment #33http://www.indiewire.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/no-men-beyond-this-point.jpg?w=780
Yes Jesper ….. Thanks yet again for the link. You’re becoming repetitive, she must be working you too hard.
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 8:37 PM
Comment #34Jesper…….. What do you think about Grealish?
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 8:41 PM
Comment #35Betsy…I am repetitive for a reason…there’s no improvement on your behalf what so ever…
Betsy…yeah it’s tough to live in a post ‘68 household! You should come join the rest of the world (…well you and Tsunki and probably Jib)
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 8:43 PM
Comment #36Betsy…another spoiled English Brat who would be paid too much a month should he join us!
…but maybe Rafa can sort him out!
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
May 20, 2018 at 8:47 PM
Comment #37We seem to be getting linked to a lot of pacy goal scoring midfielders:
Praet
Promes
Kennedy who we already had
Berisha
A couple of them would be good as they can play all across such as left wing , right wing or no 10
Could see us getting some players on loan again just to fill the squad out would be wanting us to contact Man Utd over Rashford, Mata or Shaw’s availability !!
Alcacer of Barca is available next season as well apparently could be a good loan move as well
Bobbybee
May 20, 2018 at 8:47 PM
Comment #38Jib, can’t imagine anybody would disagree with that mate. The makings of a truly great partnership and you build from the back – or Rafa does anyway. Need to keep them both fit and get some adequate replacements as cover for injuries, cup games etc.
We can’t build overnight though and Rafa’s aware of that. Just keep improving every season. A way can be found. I am a believer. 🙂
magscar
May 20, 2018 at 8:55 PM
Comment #39Bobby
A believer !
I like it – can I be one but of the stoic variety if that is not too presumptious 🙂
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 8:56 PM
Comment #40Jesper……. I can’t speak for Jib and Tsunki but I think it is fairly safe to say they are from an era as am I where the man of the house goes out to work and his good lady takes care of domestic duties.
To be a modern thinking househusband probably works just fine in 21st century Denmark but for us more traditional northern
folk , it’s hard to get away from old fashioned principles.
https://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/I+like+that_d27853_5030855.jpg