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
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 9:06 PM
Comment #41You don’t say Betsy…probably why we have this gender stereotypes attitude/tone/vibe on here at times …
…mind you of course this is not a blog trade but an individual trade.
It’s just find to be an old thinker if one would just turn off the WiFi when needed to share their general views on the matters 😉 wouldn’t you agree?
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 9:06 PM
Comment #42*find = fine
Jail for Ashley
May 20, 2018 at 9:07 PM
Comment #43I heard the Jôrg?nšon deal fell through because he couldn’t play in the half five games on a Saturday because he watches the generation game with his Mrs every week.
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 9:18 PM
Comment #44Jesper…….. I think you meant blog trait but I get your gist. We are a dying breed and honestly don’t mean any harm .
A real old fashioned northern trait is that in the olden days when working class people got married they became enemies but in a jokular endearing way. Er indoors was a common reference and the man would go down the pub or working men’s club to leave er indoors. It became a saying in England and although it’s almost died out now , some of us stubborn old timers still like to play that game but believe me it’s purely banter and harmless fun. Don’t take things on here too literally.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 9:20 PM
Comment #45Jail…did the invisible man (you only see) tell you that 😉
You’re a lucky man you only have to be a father and husband when you feel like it…if that works for you guys why do you need our consent?
Jib
May 20, 2018 at 9:21 PM
Comment #46My wife and I were happy for twenty years..
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Then we met.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 9:24 PM
Comment #47What about the other 20 years Jib?
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 9:26 PM
Comment #48…Well probably should have read on (sorry Jib old habit when it comes ro you)
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 9:27 PM
Comment #49Betsy…sorry about the spelling and grammar…probably should proofread!
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 9:35 PM
Comment #50Jesper………. You’re still taking it all far too seriously. A sense of humour is invaluable when trying to keep any relationship intact especially marriage.
The other day my wife told me she needed more space so I told her that was fine and locked her out of the house.
Marriage is a relationship of three rings:- Engagement ring Wdding ring and Suffering.
magic hat
May 20, 2018 at 9:35 PM
Comment #51We need strikers that is certain, probably 2. We need leftback competition/cover and we need cover/competition for Perez. That’s the 3 or 4 priorities i’d Expect.
Squad wise when the loanees return. We will have 2 players for each position of our usual lineup except the no10. So we have a full over 21 roster without any additions even with losing gamez and haidara and Curtis good who are all out of contract I believe.
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 9:41 PM
Comment #52Jib is a very lucky man. He gets to have sex with his missus nearly every day :-
Nearly on Monday
Nearly on Tuesdat
Nearly on Wednesday
Nearly on Thursday
Nearly on Friday
Nearly on Saturday
Nearly on Sunday
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 9:47 PM
Comment #53Argh but Betsy…I am having so much fun. Humour is a funny thing wouldn’t you say
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 9:48 PM
Comment #54Do you think you’re the one having all the fun here 😉
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 9:55 PM
Comment #55Betsy…to honest with you here and I do think we’re going a bit in circle…you’re an old thinking thinking marriage is something it’s really not…
…but then again then you have someone like Jail who’s committed when it suits him…
Who am I tell any of you guys how it should be 😉
I am a modern man with all its ups and downs…everything is in a constant flux – but I dig it 😉
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 9:56 PM
Comment #56* an old thinker
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 10:03 PM
Comment #57That’s the spirit Jesper, It would be very dull if we were all the same.
I was just relaying some of our conversation to the missus. As usual she’s taken it the wrong way , got upset and is refusing to speak to me now. She cracks me up as she really thinks the long silences and “I’m not talking to you” are actually a punishment.
Pottsclock
May 20, 2018 at 10:11 PM
Comment #58I would laugh my pants off if they don’t let Abramovich back into the UK !!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44190067
Munster Mag
May 20, 2018 at 10:12 PM
Comment #59Jesper I probably missed stuff earlier but who says you can comment on jails marriage etc here?
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 10:12 PM
Comment #60Betsy…if I may! Maybe just maybe the missus got what she really wanted 😉
…you follow ?
martoon
May 20, 2018 at 10:16 PM
Comment #61Evening guys. I’ve been waiting for Ed to do a blog poll for player of the season but I’m not sure if he is this year so I’m posting the blog predictions regardless – I’m struggling to choose a winner – suggestions welcome!
Poster…..Posit..Points.LC.rnd.FAC.rnd.POTS(Blog).TGS…TGS.goals
martoon….13…..44…..5……3…….Ritchie….Gayle…..16
toontaff2..12…..45…..5……7…….Hayden…..Perez…..15
magspuggy .10…..47…..5……7…….Shelvey….Mitrovic..17
JackBall…12…..46…..5……5…….Shelvey….Mitrovic..18
roblee7…..9…..52…..4……4…….Lejeune….Gayle…..14
AncientC…10…..53…..6……3…….Dummett….Perez…..14
Krul To Be..9…..53…..6……5…….Lejeune….Gayle…..14
GeordieTwo.14…..47…..6……5…….Ritchie….Gayle…..17
WWSBRD…..16…..42…..5……3…….Shelvey….Gayle…..14
c-dog……16…..42…..3……3…….Shelvey….Gayle…..11
firebug666.11…..54…..5……4…….Merino…..Gayle…..22
Chancel be.10…..48…..5……5…….Shelvey….Gayle…..19
JAMSHA…..11…..51…..6……3…….Ritchie….Gayle…..12
simon376 ..11…..46…..7……6…….Shelvey….L Perez…17
chicousa…12…..47…..5……6…….Shelvey….Mitrovic..15
YoungMag:P.15…..41…..4……5…….Atsu…….Atsu……10
JFA……..10…..51…..7……8…….Lejeune….L Perez…18
Essex G B…9…..51…..7……7…….Shelvey….Ritchie…14
Bobbybee…13…..48…..5……5…….Atsu…….Gayle…..15
nut meg….12…..45…..5……5…….Ritchie….Gayle…..17
OneAlanShe.16…..42…..6……6…….Lejeune….L Perez…20
ilovetoon8.18…..35…..4……4…….Shelvey….Perez…..10
hellodjo….9…..50…..5……7…….Shelvey….L Perez…14
Markaccus..13…..45…..4……4…….Joselu…..Joselu….12
magscar….11…..50…..5……6…….Shelvey….Gayle…..14
DicBDoonTo.11…..46…..4……7…….Lejeune….Mitrovic..15
clinath@ed.10…..50…..4……5…….Merino…..Mitrovic..16
Bianconeri.15…..43…..4……5…….Merino…..Ritchie…10
Bambams….11…..50…..5……6…….Lejeune….L Perez…14
ronaldo aa.13…..44…..5……5…….Lejeune….Mitrovic..11
MadisonToon.9…..52…..5……6…….Shelvey….Mitrovic..18
Rafabomb…11…..48…..7……6…….Shelvey….Mitrovic..11
Shirebrook.11…..45…..7……5…….Lejeune….Mitrovic..15
Reilly…..18…..35…..4……4…….Shelvey….Mitrovic..11
Toonces….11…..45…..7……6…….Atsu…….Mitrovic..15
toon kk….17…..41…..4……4…….Atsu…….Gayle…..15
ToonTime….9…..51…..4……6…….Lejeune….Mitrovic..16
Dagwoodz…13…..48…..6……4…….Lejeune….Ritchie…14
Our Toon…15…..42…..5……4…….Merino…..Joselu….10
NUFCadon…14…..46…..4……3…….Merino…..Gayle…..14
Hail Wor A.12…..47…..7……4…….Shelvey….Gayle…..14
Toon fm Ex.12…..49…..5……5…….Shelvey….Gayle…..14
outsidethe.16…..43…..4……4…….Shelvey….Gayle…..15
Mag52……14…..45…..6……5…….Murphy…..Gayle…..16
Belfast….13…..48…..5……5…….Shelvey….Gayle…..14
Oldgit1….12…..49…..7……4…….Lejeune….Gayle…..13
hibbit ….14…..46…..5……5…….Shelvey….Gayle…..14
mikeashley..5…..69…..7……6…….Shelvey….Mitrovic..18
jimmysmith..9…..49…..4……5…….Shelvey….Mitrovic..15
Thump……13…..42…..5……3…….Shelvey….Gayle…..12
yorkymag…10…..53…..4……8…….McCarthy…L Perez…22
jasper……8…..53…..4……7…….Lejeune….Gayle…..17
corkypants..8…..55…..7……8…….Ritchie….Mitrovic..15
tommotoon…9…..51…..7……5…….Shelvey….L Perez…17
Novocast66.15…..45…..5……4…….Shelvey….Ritchie….9
john tudor.15…..44…..3……4…….Lejeune….Akropovic.10
Charlie in.17…..39…..4……4…….Lejeune….Perez…..12
jackostoon.12…..49…..5……4…….Lejeune….Gayle…..16
geordierace10…..51…..6……6…….Ritchie….Ritchie…14
Pootle2118.16…..44…..5……6…….Merino…..Ritchie…15
ScoopSouth.12…..48…..6……6…….Merino…..Ritchie…15
supermac69.13…………5……6…….Atsu…….Mitrovic..12
Jib……..11…..48…..5……5…….Merino…..Perez…..19
TudorCrisps.9…..53…..5……8…….Ritchie….Gayle…..18
Chilwell D.13…..52…..5……5…….Shelvey….Gayle…..18
midweek we.10…..50…..7……4…….Mitrovic…Mitrovic..18
Jammydodge.11…..55…..7……5…….Ritchie….Gayle…..16
Looneytoon..8…..52…..7……6…….Ritchie….Gayle…..12
BlaydonToon15…..42…..5……6…….Hayden…..Gayle…..14
lochinvar…9…..53…..7………5….Lejeune….Gayle…..18
Shot Bru…17…..38…..3……4…….Murphy…..Mitrovic…9
Bearsize….9…..51…..5……4…….Merino…..L Perez…16
Ben Afri….9…..59…..3……4…….Ritchie….Mitrovic..11
estechco…13…..48…..4……5…….Lejeune….Gayle…..12
Charge ….11…..46…..4……7…….Shelvey….Ritchie…13
Legolas….14…..45…..6……5…….Shelvey….Gayle…..17
barkel…..10…..46…..5……4…….Merino…..Mitrovic..14
CanadianMag11…..47…..6……4…….Lejeune….Ritchie…13
voodoo85…12…..46…..4……4…….Ritchie….Gayle…..13
Worcs-Geord.8…..65…..4……6…….Merino…..Gayle…..15
jane…….10…..52…..5……4…….Perez……Perez…..15
onefineday.11…..48…..5……4…….Lejeune….Gayle…..14
FloridaToon14…..46…..5……4…….Atsu…….Mitrovic..15
Budge123…14…..44…..4……4…….Shelvey….Gayle…..12
mickybraham13…..47…..5……4…….Shelvey….Gayle…..11
RUNAWAY777.14…..43…..5……4…….Ritchie….Ritchie…14
catchy in n.9…..49…..5……4…….L Perez….L Perez…17
Shoulders..16…..43…..3……4…….Elliot…..Ritchie…12
jezza442…12…..43…..6……5…….Shelvey….Gayle…..16
Pitmatic…10…..52…..7……3…….Shelvey….Ritchie…13
Mister Tuf.14…..46…..4……5…….Shelvey….Gayle…..13
jesperfugl.13…..46…..4……5…….Ritchie….Perez…..12
Mr Funk….13…..47…..5……5…….Ritchie….Gayle…..12
thewhitetin14…..48…..5……4…….Shelvey….Gayle…..16
B&W armpit.14…..42…..5……4…….Shelvey….Gayle…..14
welshgeor9.14…..48…..5……4…….Shelvey….Gayle…..16
TyneMouth..10…..51…..7……6…….Merino…..NewStrike.18
geordie ab.12…..56…..4……3…….Ritchie….Gayle…..12
Clarke_M….9…..47…..5……6…….Murphy…..Mitrovic..14
willowdale.14…..41…..4……4…….Shelvey….Gayle…..14
Billy Whit.16…..40…..5……6…….Shelvey….Gayle…..13
B & W Barmy14…..44…..3……4…….Merino…..Gayle…..12
MunsterMag.15…..46…..5……5…….Lejeune….Gayle…..13
Sazzer……8…..52…..6……7………………Gayle…..20
Average_Con15…..46…..5……6…….Shelvey….Mitrovic..13
beermonkey.12…..52…..6……5…….Shelvey….Gayle…..14
Vask……..5…..63…..7……5…….Atsu…….Gayle…..13
B1GSTEVE….9…..52…..5……8…….De Jong….Mitrovic..17
Mr Plow….16…..46…..4……6…….Ritchie….Gayle…..12
Av / Mode..12…..48…..5……5…….Shelvey….Gayle…..14
………………………………….(35.8%)…(45.9%)
Actual…..10…..44…..2……4…….???????….Perez…..10
Nicky the ball tosser
May 20, 2018 at 10:29 PM
Comment #62Mmmm, yeah hard to pick a winner from that lot. In that case, I’ll volunteer to scrub up and accept the award.
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 10:31 PM
Comment #63Yes Jesper she always gets her own way. She pestered me to death for years to marry her. She threatened me once when she told me that she was determined to find a husband . She said that the day she married there would be lots of disappointed men. I asked her how many she intended to marry.
I can honestly say though that I had no clue whatsoever about true happiness until I married her. Then it was too late.
Nicky the ball tosser
May 20, 2018 at 10:35 PM
Comment #64Actually, I think I would be a worthy recipient. Only scuppered I think by the full extent of Mitro’s mental illness, or “radge,” which only Rafa was truly aware of.
jimmysmith..9…..49…..4……5…….Shelvey….Mitrovic..15
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 10:37 PM
Comment #65Martoon…anyone who predicted Perez as top goalscorer is a winner 😉
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 10:38 PM
Comment #66Betsy…it’s never too late
lesh
May 20, 2018 at 10:38 PM
Comment #67Bettys, Bobby, Magscar
Communicating with the fans’d the fans is one thing but I think there’d be less suspicion if Ashley started off by developing mutual trust with Rafa by communicating and discussing his thoughts, expectations, constraints and concerns with him. It needn’t necessarily be face to face and if it can’t always be, ensure he has someone who can convey those messages and be sure that responsibilities are mutually understood. Rafa seems to have been victim of too many surprises.
Fans don’t need and shouldn’t expect to be privy to matters confidential but yes, some context to events would aid understanding – provided it was clear and honest – not the ambiguous,innuendo ridden stuff we hear from Ashley or his mouthpieces.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 10:39 PM
Comment #68Munster…you probably did miss a lot !
magscar
May 20, 2018 at 10:40 PM
Comment #69Martoon
Thanks for that. Surprising how many posters were of similar minds looking back but yep don’t envy you calling a winner from those predictions. Might a (virtual) pin help 🙂
jane
May 20, 2018 at 10:40 PM
Comment #70jane…….10…..52…..5……4…….Perez……Perez…..15
am i in with a shout 3 correct?
lesh
May 20, 2018 at 10:40 PM
Comment #71Bettys
You’ve larned a lot from Les Dawson, bless him. 🙂
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 10:45 PM
Comment #72Aye Lesh he was a legend.
martoon
May 20, 2018 at 10:46 PM
Comment #73Actually Jesper I think you have a claim for winner although modesty prevents me from mentioning who was spot on with no of points (although not much else) 😀
Pottsclock
May 20, 2018 at 10:47 PM
Comment #74Just looking at your table martoon…
Did Catchy get relegated this season with points deducted for poor discipline?
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 10:48 PM
Comment #75I bought a new car a few weeks ago, only had it a few days and er indoors wrote it off total. I called her mother to explain what had happened and she asked if she was hurt. I replied, “No she’s locked herself in the bathroom.”
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 10:50 PM
Comment #76Martoon… haha 😀
magscar
May 20, 2018 at 10:54 PM
Comment #77Lesh@67
One of your better posts and agree with much of it. Ashley pays no more than lip service to communications but I prefer it now to say when we were blessed with Llambias!
There was that failed policy of emails under McClaren but perhaps Rafa could encourage more to be done. He does so much personally already to keep fans onside whilst pointing fingers at things which need improvement and he must be stretched thin at times despite him being a workaholic.
I can’t shake the feeling however that more is wrong than better communication can put right but still it would be beneficial and show an appreciation of the fans and their part in club.
You may recall Thatcher thinking all that was wrong with the poll tax was they hadn’t managed to communicate it properly
🙁
martoon
May 20, 2018 at 10:54 PM
Comment #78Yes Jane – I would say so.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 20, 2018 at 10:54 PM
Comment #79Martoon…points counts a lot mate …final position is just an odd number. Had we lost the last game we could have ended 15 or so…
bettyswallocks
May 20, 2018 at 10:56 PM
Comment #80Lesh@67. … Fair enough but I detect a hint of far left milItancy in your delivery.