While some fans weren’t dancing in the streets yesterday when we signed Ki Sung-yueng, he’s a solid signing for Newcastle.
And Ki may have come in to fill in for Mikel Merino who seems on his way to Real Sociedad after only one season on Tyneside.
Rafa wanted more experience in the side, and he’s got it with Ki who is a very experienced player with five seasons in the Premier League with Swansea, and as Rafa said yesterday – he’s a good character.
The Telegraph is reporting today that Rafa is looking to bring in two new players 22-year-old Kenedy from Chelsea and 25-year-old Red Bull Salzburg’s Valon Berisha who plays in central modified and whose dream is to play in England.
Kenedy and Rafa Benitez last season on the sideline
The Telegraph says they could cost up to £35M, but that seems an upper figure – with Berisha supposed to be available for around £8M and Kenedy something north of £20M.
If we can get these two players at the club permanently, they would be two terrific buys for Newcastle, and both players are keen to move to Newcastle, which will help in the negotiations.
There was news last week that another one of our targets – Juventus midfielder Stefano Sturaro also is waiting for Newcastle to sort out a fee with his club so he can also join Newcastle.
But if Berisha joins that may become unlikely.
Rafa has up to £50M to spend this summer plus the proceeds from potential sales of players like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Mikel Merino, Chancel Mbemba, Dwight Gayle and others.
Newcastle will hopefully ramp up their transfer activity with Rafa now back on Tyneside, and it’s good that we got Ki in before preseason starts on Monday.
Rafa wants players in early, so he has time to work with them before the season starts six weeks today when we play Spurs at St. James’ Park.
That’s the same opening fixture as last season when we lost 2-0 after Jonjo Shelvey was sent off early in the second half.
We hope to do a lot better this time around.
Newcastle have a little momentum in the transfer market now so let’s hope more players will be arriving soon.
Comments welcome.
6 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Jun 30, 2018 at 8:49 AM
Comment #1DubaiMicky,
If it was to be taken with such a massive dose of salt why write it in the first place?
“Allegedly Rafa has signed a new contract and it’ll be announced on Friday.
Don’t shoot the messenger, just what I was told.
By who though Micky, was it by the same person who told you a Saudi Prince was buying us last year.
Optimistic Panda
Jun 30, 2018 at 8:56 AM
Comment #2I always liked the look of KSY when I’ve watched him play, nowt flash a solid dependable player and decent with both feet.
He’s a good age to fit into the squad, he would have been great in the squad last year, a experienced head around such a young team/squad.
Merino can go with my blessing.
It’s obvious to A blind man on a galloping horse he doesn’t want to be here. Like anyone in a job they don’t like he won’t give 100% will throw sickies whenever he feels like it and will be a disruption to the work place for players, training and medical staff, plus it’s a headache most managers wouldn’t want.
I’d rather we had KSY as he wants to be here and at this current time has way more to offer than Merino.
Welcome to the Toon lad.
Reilly
Jun 30, 2018 at 8:59 AM
Comment #3Reports in Italy that Berisha is due to have medical at Lazio.
c-dog
Jun 30, 2018 at 9:07 AM
Comment #4Sell merino for money and make a free signing as a replacement Ed suggests. In for another summer of joselus and manquillos if that’s true.
ronaldo aarons
Jun 30, 2018 at 9:15 AM
Comment #5Yeah berisha is supposed to have arrived in Italy for his medical. That ship has sailed… unfortunately.
Pulisic would be a statement signing!
Reports going about that Chelsea want £25m for kenedy. That might be a no go then.
giimps
Jun 30, 2018 at 9:53 AM
Comment #6If we do buy any players it won’t be till the sky dash hits our account, that will open the floodgates on a lot of teams to enable sales and purchases……if we do buy anyone……the way I look at it, we have replaced one free signing with a better one (colback) so hopefully he will be away, just need Joselu replaced, Mitro replaced ( if he’s sold) and Merino if he goes……I don’t care how much we spend as long as the team/ squad is improved and Rafa is happy to go into the season with what he has.