News in the local press today that Leon Best could move to Celtic this summer.
Leon Best – moving on
We have said before that we think the Ireland international will move this summer, as we think a fourth young striker will be singed, and we are hoping it will be 21 year-old old Dutch International Luuk de Jong.
Leon has just one year left on the contract he signed when he came to Newcastle from Coventry City in January of 2010.
Newcastle will not be offering Leon a new deal next summer, so the thinking is probably we far better sell him this summer, and get something for him, rather than to lose him for nothing next summer.
Leon has done well in the last two seasons, scoring 10 goals in 33 appearances for the Magpies, but the standards at Newcastle have been raised significantly over the last year, and Newcastle will allow some of their fringe players to move on this summer.
Newcastle have already released Peter Lovenkrands, Danny Guthrie, Alan Smith and young Tamas Kadar, and now best could be sold.
A source close to Best has told the Evening Chronicle:
“Leon had the chance to go last January, but chose to stay on.” “He’s expecting opportunities to go again this summer, but will wait to see what happens.” “He likes it at Newcastle and wouldn’t have a problem staying on.”
Celtic were after best last January and apparently a fee was even agreed with the Scottish Champions, but Leon wanted to stay on Tyneside, and fight for his place.
But he didn’t play again for Newcastle when he returned from injury with Cicce, Demba Ba and Shola Ameobi being preferred as the strikers up front.
That may be a communication to Leon that his time may be up at Newcastle, but we also think there will be quite a few Premier League clubs after him, since the fee for the Irishman will not be too high, with only one year left on his contract.
The three strikers up front will be fortified by Newcastle buying a new young striker before September 1st, and if Demba Ba moves out, then another striker will be moved in, and probably Dame N’Doye, the 27 year-old Copenhagen and Senegal striker will be Ba’s replacement.
25 year-old Leon Best has played 46 times for Newcastle in total with 10 good goals.
Comments welcome.
14 comments so far
grumpy_old_sod
Jun 6, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Comment #1Don’t really see best getting too many opportunities, he doesn’t really appear to be a first choice striker even if Ba leaves.
Not really concerned over this.
Alinufc
Jun 6, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Comment #2Why does the Senegalese guy have to be ba’s replacement seemed totally different players to me :/ I would think luuk de jong would be ba’s and bests replacement if they both decide to leave unfortunately. Although we need strength in depth, reckon we’ve got enough for Ashley and wouldn’t spend the big bucks on De jong unless absolutely necessary and ba and bests transfer fee (not a complaint )
Toon Tang
Jun 6, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Comment #3Celtic are probably the equivalent to a mid to lower championship team anyway with the spl fairing up as more english league 1 standard.
Besty should be in his element.
hahaha bit harsh maybe
geordiefinn
Jun 6, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Comment #4Best is very good squad player, in fact i’d be disappointed if he left us. Hopefully we’ll keep him, and hopefully he wants to stay here.
grumpy_old_sod
Jun 6, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Comment #5Has Ba actually said he wants a move?
comfortably numb
Jun 6, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Comment #6If it means De Jong coming in then let him go. He’ll fill his boots in the SPL.
Toonboy_84
Jun 6, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Comment #7I would keep besty unless he is replaced by better. That is what will make us stronger.
~Perchinho the Pheonix~
Jun 6, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Comment #8I honestly can’t see De Jong Replacing Best. De Jong won’t come here to be a third choice striker and I doubt Ba will be happy being on the Bench if De Jong comes in and becomes 2nd choice behind Cisse.
If Leon Best does leave the replacement would most likely be a young starlet for the future. Someone who can grow into the team.
I only see De jong possibly coming in if he is atleast gaurenteed to be 2nd choice striker.
~Perchinho the Pheonix~
Jun 6, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Comment #9A player like this North Korean Lad we were recently linked with, would be the type of replacement for Leon Best in my opinion.
geordie157
Jun 6, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Comment #10Good luck to him if he leaves, alright as a squad player but never going to be 1st or 2nd choice. He’d score a load in the SPL for sure, can see Reading wanting him with their Irish contingent.
De Jong would be a quality signing, if we can get him and Hoillet then we’d have options for 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 if Ba was to leave. I’d still love both to be signed regardless, Cisse, Ba, De Jong, Hoillet and Shola gives us nice options, plus Sammy/Ranger aswell.
If we can’t get Luuk then maybe Siem De Jong is an option, can play behind Cisse or up front if needed.
Plus the Corgnet rumours have suddenly stopped. Just have to wait and see who actually gets signed, probably one of of these rumoured targets will actually be signed!
geordie157
Jun 6, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Comment #11…only one of…
verytallperson
Jun 6, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Comment #12People still chiming about Hoillet? He’s gone to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Faddj
Jun 6, 2012 at 1:04 PM
Comment #13anyone else on here got twitter? everytime I make a comment on this blog I never come back on to check who’s replied to me, and I often tweet about Newcastle and football in general so follow me on twitter people…
@Faddj
Harley
Jun 6, 2012 at 7:08 PM
Comment #14I know this sounds bad but it might not be such a disaster if Ba were sold.
I know he’s been great for us and I’d far rather have at the club. However, only if we are to play either him or cisse upfront and not both.
I much prefer our 4-3-3 formation but Ba is wasted on the left and not really any use there at all.
In an ideal world they would take turns warming the bench but I don’t think either would be prepared to do that. So for the sake of the team a striker who would be ok to wait for his chance might be the better option.