It’s hardly surprising that some of Rafa’s top transfer targets this summer are some players he wanted at Newcastle a year ago.
We have already been linked Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, and Tammy Abraham from Chelsea – three players Rafa wanted last summer.
And a fourth seems to be Middlesbrough’s Spanish U21 winger Adama Traore.
We had a piece on the player yesterday but we said we hadn’t seen any real links to the winger this summer, but now there is one.
The Yorkshire Post is reporting that Newcastle are interested in the Spanish winger and that his transfer price is around £15M.
Adama Traore last season – in action against Aston Villa
For a player of Traore’s potential – that seems like a reasonable fee in today’s world of (very) high transfer fees.
Newcastle should even be able to afford that, and it could be a good deal if Rafa is able to get the very best out of Adama.
And last season there were definite signs that Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis was starting to get the best out of the 22-year-old.
The right winger has tremendous pace and good technical skills but needs to concentrate those attributes on producing good performances consistently in games.
That’s not dissimilar to what Kenedy needed to do when he first arrived on loan at Newcastle in January – and the Brazilian had an excellent time of it on Tyneside.
Rafa is the right manager who can get Traore to do the same thing.
The Newcastle manager tried to do a swap deal for the young Spaniard last summer involving goalkeeper Karl Darlow, but it didn’t happen, for whatever reason.
There has to be a good chance that Rafa can do the deal and £15M wouldn’t be too much to pay for the Spanish U21 International.
But it also depends on who Rafa’s number one choice is for the one winger he is expected to bring in this summer – and it’s got to be Kenedy – if we can get him.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
42 comments so far
Bobbybee
May 29, 2018 at 2:10 PM
Comment #1G, no, close though. Newbiggin by the sea mate. Hence the lol after ‘quaint’. 🙂
Tbf though, a lot of money is being spent and it is far more refined than yesteryear.
They still haven’t rescued that couple stuck in the bay though. 🙂
Bobbybee
May 29, 2018 at 2:16 PM
Comment #2I actually like this lad. His pace and skill are undeniable, he just needs to concentrate on his final ball.
That said, that’s mainly based on the previous season, I’ve not seen too much of him this one past.
His ability is excellent, he’s just inconsistent and has a habit of running down blind ally’s. Could Rafa change that? Without a doubt.
Bobbybee
May 29, 2018 at 2:19 PM
Comment #3Dagwoodz, it was the Z that threw me. It was the other one with the Z I mistook you for. My mistake. We all make them.
ShirebrookToon
May 29, 2018 at 2:28 PM
Comment #4Give em Joselu + £14,999,999.
No brainier
Dagwoodz
May 29, 2018 at 2:31 PM
Comment #5Bobbybee, RobLeenio
Kind of a silly story how I started supporting the Toon. My family (on my father’s side) came from England back in the early 1600’s to America (circa 1632 and 1634 for both main branches). When I did a geneology trace back in 2002, trying to find out where both sides of the family came from, my first search led me to the Newcastle area. I was a pretty avid player in HS and a little bit afterwards, (I was a keeper, don’t judge), always loved watching the game played at the highest level, and since, at the time, I thought my family originated from there, I adopted NUFC as my team…of course I later found out that NUFC adopted me as a supporter.
It wasn’t until about 6 years later that I found out my initial geneology trace was incorrect and my family is actually from the SOUTH east coast, from an old village called Alderborough, now known as Alderburgh. (surname is Albro) Didn’t stop me from supporting the Toon though…it was “in the blood” at that point. The other side of my family, (surname Swain) is from the south / southwest coast between Plymouth and Portsmouth.
RobLeenio
May 29, 2018 at 2:33 PM
Comment #6Rafa’s had a remarkable effect on a number of wingers since his arrival at NUFC – Townsend, Gouffran, Kenedy have all performed at higher levels than you might have expected and indeed at a higher level than at any other time in their careers. Atsu likewise in flashes, Murphy is a work in progress too with potential to be excellent.
You’d have thought that any young winger would bust a gut to get to play in a Rafa team.
Jib
May 29, 2018 at 2:34 PM
Comment #7Bobby Here’s one to test your football fanaticism
Peru vs Scotland 2 a.m. tomorrow morning BBC1 (Scotland)
Perfect for Chico
Bobbybee
May 29, 2018 at 2:35 PM
Comment #8Dagwoodz, so you should’ve been a Brighton or Southampton fan? Wow, lucky escape there mate!! 🙂
Canadian Mag
May 29, 2018 at 2:39 PM
Comment #9I live in Canada, but my parents emigrated from Newcastle. I come over every couple of years to see my grandparents. Only managed to get to one game so far, vs hull, we ended up losing unfortunately. Seem to have piss poor timing, fixtures are always away when I come. Due to poor coverage, I missed the heady Keegan days, only really getting to consistently watch the toon during the first relegation season (lucky me). Dead jealous of anyone that gets to go to every game, and if I could I would fly in for every game. There’s many of us overseas fans that are just as die hard as many living in the area.
Bobbybee
May 29, 2018 at 2:42 PM
Comment #10Jib, if I’m awake, I’ll probably watch it. I love a good laugh after all. 🙂
Dagwoodz
May 29, 2018 at 2:43 PM
Comment #11Thanks Bobbybee, I personally think I lucked out. If I were going to pick the local team from the Alderburgh area, looks like it would have been Ipswich….otherwise it would have been most likely Bournemouth. (it’s only about 5-10km from Swanage, which is the best guess where the Swain’s came from)
Jail for Ashley
May 29, 2018 at 2:48 PM
Comment #12Dagwoodz,
What a heart warming tale!
hibbit
May 29, 2018 at 2:49 PM
Comment #13think the asking price for Traore is closer to 20m according to my neighbour (ex boro player)
Bobbybee
May 29, 2018 at 2:51 PM
Comment #14Dagwoodz, even luckier escape then mate, although tbf to Ipswich, there’s a kind of bond between us due to SBR. One man worshipped by two clubs.
Canadian Mag, and welcome you would be mate. You can never have enough passionate fans on your side.
This is educational, learning why different people from around the world follow us. Keep em coming. 🙂
Jib
May 29, 2018 at 2:51 PM
Comment #15Dagwoodz
The Aldborough you looked up is actually closer
to Norwich than Ipswich
However
There is an Aldborough in Yorkshire near RAF Dishforth
which is only 70 miles South of the Toon!
griff
May 29, 2018 at 2:52 PM
Comment #16Aussie here. Spent a glorious year in Newcastle working at the General (RIP) in 2005 or thereabouts. Another keeper in my playing days (and again, please don’t judge)! So limited history and only a few visits to St James along with a few away days when back in the UK for a few years further South, yet a supporter for life. This blog is the closest to being in the community of fans. Such a diversity as well. And then there is Jib!
Jail for Ashley
May 29, 2018 at 2:53 PM
Comment #17Shirebrook,
It would be interesting to see how Joselu performed in the Championship, although the barn doors are the same size he might feel more confident facing teams like Rotherham, Brentford etc.
Bobbybee
May 29, 2018 at 2:54 PM
Comment #18Griff, we love our goalies up here mate, you won’t be judged. 🙂 Mick Mahoney super goalie na na na na na!
Tosun A. Wobbler
May 29, 2018 at 2:56 PM
Comment #19Bobby, with one exception…John Karelse, remember him. Stunk the place out. 🙂
Bobbybee
May 29, 2018 at 2:57 PM
Comment #20Jail, I actually think Joselu is tailor made for the Championship. I reckon he could be a bit of a hero for someone. I think he just set his sights too high. Never gives less than 100% and brings in players around him. Less talented keepers to beat as well.
Munster Mag
May 29, 2018 at 2:59 PM
Comment #21Hey we need jib too!
Bobbybee
May 29, 2018 at 3:03 PM
Comment #22Tosun, you always get the one. It’s the exception that proves the rule apparently.
I remember we had a right back years ago, Stimpson or something similar, my memory on names is very dubious. Blond haired kid. Utterly and totally pants.
That said, he kept plugging away and tried unbelievably hard. Slowly but surely he turned us around with his commitment until he was cheered every time he went into a tackle. Funny old game innit? 🙂
lochinvar
May 29, 2018 at 3:04 PM
Comment #23http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5633453/Premier-League-Kits-2018-19.html
Some of the new kits for next season.
Arsenal revenues will fall when they see their new first team shirt.
Bobbybee
May 29, 2018 at 3:11 PM
Comment #24Loch, good post. I think you’re right mate, that’s a bit of a shocker innit? 🙂 They lose Arsene and style goes out the window!!
Jail for Ashley
May 29, 2018 at 3:18 PM
Comment #25Bobby,
Maybe after playing at the highest level and being previously quite prolific for Real B he has set his sights too high and us and Rafa were his last chance saloon. It’s no great shame for him if he does drop a division and starts banging them in. He’ll most likely get a medal or a Wembley appearance and retire a very wealthy young man.
Jib
May 29, 2018 at 3:18 PM
Comment #26Oh dear
I feel some foreign footy links
coming on
😛
Jail for Ashley
May 29, 2018 at 3:23 PM
Comment #27Get jane to do them for you Jiblets, she makes them so interesting.
Bobbybee
May 29, 2018 at 3:29 PM
Comment #28Jail, any pro footballer who finishes his career in England skint has just been stupid. At least the top two divisions.
Joselu should swallow his pride and take a backward step. He can make it, just maybe not in the PL.
Jib
May 29, 2018 at 3:31 PM
Comment #29Mbemba and Sels together to Anderlecht for €10M is virtually a done deal
https://www.voetbalkrant.com/nl/nieuws/lees/2018-05-29/topwerk-van-luc-devroe-anderlecht-heeft-zijn-eerste-twee-echte-toptransfers-zo-goed-als-beet
swemag
May 29, 2018 at 3:37 PM
Comment #30As we are sharing, Swedish fan now based in Montreal, Canada. As all other North America based fans Saturday footy is something I enjoy at 10AM in the morning, when I can.
My first fling with Newcastle was when Keegan was there as a player, I had my eyes on them at that time but was not really a fan. Later my dad was working in Redcar outside of Middlesbrough, this was in 95-96 and Toon was the team to follow. I asked him to bring back a Toon shirt and that was that.
I would say that like many other non Brittish fans I am a product of the Keegan era.
As for lucky escapes, it could have been Middlesbrough, well, was never close though we did drive by the Riverside a few times.
Flew into Newcastle in 2014 and was sitting right next to the players when we beat Liverpool 1-0, Perez scored. The game was part of a Pardew led 5 game winning streak that basically saved us that year. I remember Balotelli being chopped down right in front of me to wild cheers. Great experience also seeing from club legends walking around in the crowd. Terry Mac and Bob Moncur among them.
I don’t drink and still managed to have a great time in Toon running into some Norwegian and Canadian fans spending time with them.
Jail for Ashley
May 29, 2018 at 3:37 PM
Comment #31Bobbybee,
It’s a strange situation to put yourself. If asked, would you rather be playing getting 20K a week or sitting in the reserves getting shunned off the manager and team mates for 25/40K a week. It must purely depend on the type of person a player is. Or is it?
RobLeenio
May 29, 2018 at 3:55 PM
Comment #32swemag, canadian, griff, Dagwoodz, all great stories. I think Canadian Mag is the only one with a family background in the North East, which I think is what most would assume is the biggest driver for overseas supporters.
The common theme seems to be that once the bug bites, you can’t shake it off. It was the same for me growing up in Cramlington, I moved there at 4, Dad wanted me to be the next big Man U player, I found Keegan, Gazza, Beardsley and Waddle waiting for me and I’ve never looked back.
We all come at Newcastle United for different reasons and via different paths, but once here, we’re all the same.
HWTL
Jail for Ashley
May 29, 2018 at 4:02 PM
Comment #33It has to beat that tw@t TDDarf’s story who’s family that must have been from somewhere in Kent or Surrey with no natural football team to support decided one would support Man U, Chelsea etc. He decided to rebel and choose the no hopers, he then went on to lecture us about how the cup policy was sensible and that we should be always aiming for tenth, despite just finishing fifth???
Jail for Ashley
May 29, 2018 at 4:05 PM
Comment #34Btw you can read TDSarf’s views on .co.uk every three and a half days, sometimes interspersed by Kimtoon, Troy Stavers and the treacherous Belfits.
Bambams
May 29, 2018 at 4:11 PM
Comment #35Jail
Troy is the same in person as he is on the blogs….Top lad and great craic.
For a short bloke…..
Jail for Ashley
May 29, 2018 at 4:17 PM
Comment #36I think .co.uk has actually officially died, had to go back to the 25th just to find a comment. The Ashley lovin TDSarf and the Pardew lovin Troy Shavers has finally killed the place. Even Belfits “humour” what ever that was in the first place hasn’t been enough to save the place!
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
May 29, 2018 at 4:17 PM
Comment #37So Mbemba and Selz on the way out then?
Hoping that means Dubruvka coming in straight away !
Mbemba while decent on the ball and athletic just not sure he is a premiership defender and Hayden can fill in just as good if not better in the utility role !
Jail for Ashley
May 29, 2018 at 4:31 PM
Comment #38Bambams,
I used to get on with him really well on here before he stopped being able to separate Ashleys running of the club with Pardew getting the blame for it and Pardew being part of the problem.
Toonces
May 29, 2018 at 4:37 PM
Comment #39Personally think that Mbemba should be pushing to back up Diame. Some of the criticisms of his game at central defense wouldn’t be quite as problematic in the holding role, and he has played to good effect in this position for his country. And while he is somewhat undersized for a center half, he would be a good size for a physical midfielder. But if Rafa thinks it is time for Chancel to be on his way to free up room for someone else (and better!), then I wish him well wherever he ends up – unless he is playing against us 🙂
OneAlanShearer
May 29, 2018 at 4:38 PM
Comment #40If we estimate getting about 65 million for outgoing players and a budget of 50 million from Ashley that is 115million.
Buying 2 strikers, a number 10, left winger, dm, rb, centre back cover and Dubravka is not a huge budget.
I think if Chelsea were willing to sell Kenedy for 15 to 20 million he’d be who I’d start with. Dubravka for 4 million is a no brainer. I think any out of contract or bargain players that rafa trusts would be useful to allow bigger budget signings. So someof recent bargain players mentioned would make a lot of sense Mrbita or whatever his name is from Sweden, the out of contract German defender we are allegedly interested in also make sense.
Rafa’s going to have to work his magic to build a competitive side on that budget.