With news this morning that Newcastle are likely not going to get a manager the equivalent of Rafa Benitez, it is vital that the club make some very savvy moves this transfer window.
A player we feel could be a really good acquisition, if Newcastle could pull it off, is Watford’s Dodi Lukebakio.
Lukebakio is a product of the superb Anderlecht academy which he joined in 2014 when he was just sixteen years of age.
He made his international debut for the Democratic Republic of Congo before switching his international allegiance to his nation of birth, Belgium. He has made seventeen appearances for the Belgian U21 team.
During his time at Anderlecht, Dodi was unable to break into the side making just 18 total first-team appearances for the club.
He had loan spells at both Ligue 1 club Toulouse in 2016-17 and Belgian club RSC Charleroi in the first half of the 2017-18 season. The Toulouse loan ended up going very poorly for him as he made only 5 appearances in Ligue 1 for them.
He played quite well the following year with Belgian first division side Charleroi and caught the attention of Watford.
In the 2018 January transfer window, Watford brought Lukebakio to Vicarage Road for €5m.
He ended up making one appearance in the Premier League as a late substitute against West Ham in February.
Dodi Lukebakio– was outstanding in Bundesliga last year
Last summer Watford loaned the winger to Fortuna Dusseldorf where he had an outstanding season. At Dusseldorf, Lukebakio was sometimes deployed as an out and out striker and not just on the right.
He displayed his versatility as a player as well as proving to b very comfortable up front. In December, he scored a hat trick at Bayern Munich which garnered him much press around the footballing world.
Last season, he split time equally between being an out and out striker and on the right wing. He also made the occasional appearance on the left. He was able to deliver with 14 goals in 34 appearances.
The 6’2″ attacker is looking to leave Watford this summer. Though he has stated that he wants to play for a club that is in Europe, he may not find many options.
The clubs in European competition in the top leagues would probably not be able to offer him the first-team football he desires. While the second-tier leagues like Ligue 1 and the Eredivisie may not be able to afford him.
Lukebakio wants to play and he wants to find a home. He is a supremely confident individual but has spent his entire career on loan.
Lille have had a bid of €12m rejected so far this summer. German outlet Bild has reported that Watford want £18m for him.
At just twenty-one years old, he could develop into a top talent. He could also add some attacking quality that the club sorely needs right now.
We think he would be a good option for Newcastle to go after this summer.
57 comments so far
optimistic prime
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:15 PM
Comment #41Say it ain’t so
Bobbybee
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:15 PM
Comment #42Seriously, calling fans with a different opinion names doesn’t help anything or anyone – except Ashley. Divide and rule #101. Come on, it used to entrench me even further and cause me to react in the same way. Nobody gets to decide how somebody else thinks or acts. Not you, not me – nobody.
Tbh, despite boycotting myself, I’m not convinced it’ll work. I’m doing it out of solidarity, not because I think it will work. I don’t think you can hold a billionaire to ransom over a few million quid. I’d like to be wrong, but only time will tell. That said, it sends a message out. Let him know enough is enough. If we don’t, we’ll never know.
A lot of people are like me, bought their ST in March and won’t see the point in boycotting as he’s got their money. To them I’d say it’s not about money, it’s about sending a message out to Ashley. This is what we can do if you don’t sell up. That’s all. Watch on TV for one game at least. Maybe all TV games. I don’t want to do it – nobody does – but he won’t go if he believes we’ll keep turning up. One game for now, see how it goes? Give it a go please. No name calling, your life, your money, your choice, but think about it at least.
geordietom
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:15 PM
Comment #43left hillsborough 2 hours ago
geordietom
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:17 PM
Comment #44sky said bruce to newcastle imminently…
Hail Wor Ashley
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:20 PM
Comment #45Rob games to goals stats are rubbish. 1min played is the same as 90.
As I’ve already posted he scores a goal every 265mins in the PL, some of that playing out wide too. Compared with Rondon’s a goal every 315. Yes his injury record is an issue, but get him right and he is a good player. As long as we bring in another and get rid of Joselu then we’ll be looking healthy for ST options, assuming we’ll be going with 1 up top as is common these days.
hibbit the armchair fan
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:21 PM
Comment #46well Stevie boy your making a big big mistake that will only end in tears,
with this one act of pure stupidity you betrayed the whole Geordie nation for few pieces of of Ashely’s silver,
this day will be a day you regret for the rest of your life from the minute you enter st jame’s you feel the utter contempt and animosity aimed at you,
we will never be forgiven TRAITOR
MG-Man
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:24 PM
Comment #47Pointless arguing about forwards , Joselu , Gayle and Muto , that’s your lot
Jib
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:24 PM
Comment #48hibbit
Do you not think that’s a tad OTT ?
MarkBro
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:25 PM
Comment #49Well at least Bruce has experienced the championship playoffs with some success.
We might go down, get bought for a cheaper price and come back up.
Scraping the desperation barrel i know but i can only think of escaping Ashleys clutches
danishmag
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:26 PM
Comment #50Dont care who we buy..
We are an absolute joke, going from Rafa to Bruce..
The two monkeys are sitting jerking one another, talking about who they can get in as managers:
Ashlie: “Donald Duck?.. damn he is cartoon character”..
Charnlie: “Goofy?.. damn he is also a cartoon character”..
Ashlie: “How about Daisy Duck?”
Charnlie: “No, also Cartoon character”.. “but someone called Steve Bruce maybe?”..
Ashlie: “give it try, as soon a have busted my nut all over you, Lee”
And so begins the tale of Steve Bruce in the north
Bobbybee
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:28 PM
Comment #51Hibbett, he was a traitor the second he decided to manage the mackems. And wanted Manure to beat us in the final, more to the point. That’s no Magpie, not a chance. He might have supported us as a boy, but that was many years ago and that’s long gone. He’ll get what he deserves sadly. He could’ve kept a decent job and his self respect by telling Ashley to do one. Solidarity score? 0/10.
clinath@ed
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:28 PM
Comment #52Gone from watching helicopters/planes for Sheikh potential owners, to second rate would be managers. Ffs!
clinath@ed
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:30 PM
Comment #53Bruce is a good manager for getting teams out of the championship, maybe MA is planning ahead after all.
GeordieinOhio
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:37 PM
Comment #54Here we have the NUFC faithful gathering to welcome their NEW manager , Robert the Bruce Traitor of Scotland….wait whoops sorry Steve Bruce Traitor Of Newcastle.
https://nouwcdn.com/14/1475000/1460000/1459894/pics/201802111459512622_sbig.jpg
MarkBro
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:48 PM
Comment #55First games to boycott
Sun 11.08.2019 Arsenal (h) 2pm Sky
Sun 25.08.2019 Spurs (a) 4.30pm SKY
Sat 14.09.2019 Liverpool (a) 12.30pm BT
Sat 21.09.2019 Brighton (h) 5.30pm Sky
Sat 28.09.2019 Leicester City (a) 5.30pm* Sky
embarrassed by this blog
Jul 11, 2019 at 2:55 PM
Comment #56It’s all just chatter. The chopper is off to pick up Robert the Bruce as new Toon manager…. FREEEEDOM
Munster Mag
Jul 11, 2019 at 5:11 PM
Comment #57Jib, yes Miles OTT