Rafa Benitez wants Newcastle to do a double loan deal this week – with the transfer window running out a week tomorrow – so there’s not much time left.
As usual, Newcastle have been dragging their feet in this window – much to Rafa Benitez’ annoyance.
The two players are Monaco left-back Antonio Barreca and Atletico Madrid winger Gelson Martins and we have reported on the two deals earlier this morning – both are now said to be loan deals.
The good news is that both deals were sanctioned by owner Mike Ashley on Saturday after the game with Cardiff City.
Both players are available because they are not getting enough playing time at their clubs.
So Newcastle now have to do the loan negotiations and both will have “options to buy” in their loan contracts and we can sign them this summer if the players do well on Tyneside.
Mike Ashley with Keith Bishop and Justin Barnes on Saturday
If Newcastle can get these two deals over the line then Rafa still needs a striker to get the three minimum players in he needs this month.
But once again it’s been like pulling teeth with the news yesterday and today that Rafa is at breaking point with Ashley because of the intransigence and lack of interest of the owner.
Monaco manager Thierry Henry is willing to let Barreca leave on loan so it’s now up to Newcastle to do the deal – but the hierarchy must move quickly and be decisive.
That’s never been something that Newcastle have ever done with Ashley as the owner – they are usually the opposite and tend to nit-pick on the terms of any deal.
Barreca only joined Monaco for a reported £9M from his hometown club Torino in the summer, but he hasn’t even made the bench for the last couple of months.
If Newcastle can get these two deals across the line and we can bring in a striker on loan before February rolls around it may even placate Mr. Benitez.
But it does seem that Rafa is starting to give up hope on his dream to make Newcastle United great again.
That will not happen with Mike Ashley as the owner.
But we live in hope the manager will still stay at Newcastle past this summer.
Comments welcome.
29 comments so far
carltoon
Jan 23, 2019 at 2:55 PM
Comment #1I see Maja has gone to France
Jib
Jan 23, 2019 at 2:55 PM
Comment #2I firmly believe those three think they ain’t doing a bad
at NUFC – not as evil as portrayed – just fcuking clueless
Jib
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:00 PM
Comment #3Being a London lad Maja clearly doesn’t
like the NE – looks like he’s going to Bordeaux
for the weather – Ron Knee could put him right
Optimistic Panda
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:02 PM
Comment #4Munster
To save the report, I’ve replied to you on last thread
Optimistic Panda
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:02 PM
Comment #5‘Re post
Optimistic Panda
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:04 PM
Comment #6Jib
Are they also deaf dumb and blind?
There’s enough evidence and people telling them they aren’t doing a good job for them to notice
RobLeenio
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:05 PM
Comment #7I don’t see how Antonio Barreca moving here will help him, if he’s after more game time. Dummett is one of the most consistent defenders we have, he’ll struggle to shift him out of the team.
Great option for us but a move has to be right for all parties involved. Not sure this one would be
Transfer Sage
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:06 PM
Comment #8Hopefully we can get some transfers done, even if just loans. Anything to give Rafa and the team a boost this season is a good thing.
It doesn’t solve the long term issue with Ashley, but it’s good for the present.
ilovetoon8788
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:06 PM
Comment #9Agreed. I don’t think muto was rafa signing too. The way he doesn’t even get a chance its quite obvious it was probably sanctioned by Charnley for exposure to Asian Market and little to do with football.
Transfer Sage
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:09 PM
Comment #10ilovetoon8788
It’s hard to know really. I’m very critical of Ashley and how we do business, but I don’t want to presume the worst for everything.
Some times a manager wants a player, brings him in, then for whatever reason they just don’t adapt and settle in. That’s even harder to do in a struggling team.
Jib
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:11 PM
Comment #11Panda
History is full of examples of powerful/wealthy
folk who surround themselves with sycophants
who shield them from outside opinion.
Jib
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:14 PM
Comment #12A classic example is the Westminster bubble
The only opinion poll that has hit 90% YES , this
year , is the one that asks:-
“Do you think on the whole , MP’s are useless”
geordietom
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:15 PM
Comment #13just watched SALA’S dad on ssn heart breaking …
lost my daughter coming up to 3 years now really really tugs at my heart …
know what the family is going through at this moment in time …
TIME FADES BUT THE HURT NEVER GOES AWAY …
bettyswallocks
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:17 PM
Comment #14Jib……. Have you any comment to make regarding NY mag’s revelation that Justin Barnes has been with Ashley since he took over the club?
R.I.P Magpie
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:22 PM
Comment #15I’m the potential buyer for NUFC, I have the money and have money for players.
But I’m a smart businessman and look at Newcastle, the club, the fans, and the manager and think to myself, god there is some serious potential.
But as a smart businessman looking to spend up to 500 Million on purchase and players, why would I purchase the club in another relegation fight?
I would gamble, they stay up makes it more attractive then to purchase, they go down makes it more likely to get the club at a cheaper purchase.
As the clubs stand now, no one in their right mind would purchase the club, so let’s stop with all the bullshite about knowing someone that is telling you they know something and the club will sell.
Let’s look at reality, if the manager cannot get the players he wants then he leaves, no one would blame him. We may stay up this season but only just, so the start of next season we will be in the same boat, need players and to add need a new manager.
What a damn circus our club has turned into, makes me sad that our club is used as a makeshift bank for the owner, makes me sad that we have everything in place to make the club awesome. Honestly, anyone that supports Mike Ashley on this blog is a complete moron or a mackem, maybe that should read, is a complete mackem.
Jib
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:22 PM
Comment #16Betty
He was with AshleyBEFORE he took over the club
However until a few years ago he was
Sports Direct International’s enforcer
He’s only been involved with NUFC since
December 2016
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-justin-barnes-role-7-14611683
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:23 PM
Comment #17Sorry to hear that geordietom
I send my sympathies
geordietom
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:24 PM
Comment #18cheers frank mate …
RobLeenio
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:27 PM
Comment #19geordietom, that’s a heartbreaking tale, of course you empathise with Sala’s father. No parent should outlive their child, when they do it’s terribly cruel.
I feel terrible for Cardiff City also. While the grief of the fans, players and coaching staff will be nothing like as personal, it will be real and it will take some time to get over.
I do worry also that this tragedy will give Cardiff a cause to unify around and actually make them stronger in a way that Sala’s arrival at the club may not have done. If so, they could go on a run and leave us stranded.
NY Mag
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:30 PM
Comment #20Betty,
I only said it tongue-in-cheek…..please don’t start a war with Jib on my behalf 🙂
Jib
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:32 PM
Comment #21RIP Magpie your avatar is an
Australian Magpie
Does this mean you are a Jets supporter
or
something more sinister
RobLeenio
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:35 PM
Comment #22Assuming we do sign Martins and he’s here for Saturday, do we throw him straight in at Watford? I’d like to see what he has to offer
Jib
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:35 PM
Comment #231.gravatar.com/avatar/7c0524d8ed7f68c9cc52ba4effb25c29?s=996&d=mm&r=g
Will this work
R.I.P Magpie
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:41 PM
Comment #24Jib, sorry but I have no ties with Australia, its a magpie sitting on a cross in a graveyard, which was kinda the point about our club seemingly being close to dying.
I tried to get a Geordie Magpie but they were all ashamed of the club and would not sit for the photo, no Magpies were hurt during this shooting.
bettyswallocks
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:44 PM
Comment #25Don’t worry NY……. He knows I’m only pulling his leg.
Jib
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:45 PM
Comment #26European Magpie
Jib
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:45 PM
Comment #27Black bill
martoon
Jan 23, 2019 at 3:49 PM
Comment #28Jib @26 – You’ve certainly proved you are truly the Googlemeister 😀
Moonraker15
Jan 23, 2019 at 5:03 PM
Comment #29Jib @#2
Well said! They’re oblivious to criticism and feed off each other not listening to real critics!