Newcastle’s first bid for 19 year-old Dynamo Zagreb players Ante Coric and Filip Benkovic was turned down, but it could be that Newcastle will go back with an increased bid to the top Croatian club for the top two youngsters with Rafa Benitez said to be keen to bring the two top young European players to Tyneside.
Newcastle’s initial bid was not enough and the Mail is reporting that attacking midfielder Coric, who already has two full caps for Croatia could cost £0M, but the problem as always this season is to get top young players to join an English second division club when there are some other big clubs interested in the teenagers.
Dynamo Zagreb players Ante Coric
Coric has been compared to Croatia’s star player Luka Modric in his style of play the attacking midfielder is in big demand and even turned down a move to Liverpool only last summer.
The news is that Newcastle want to sign both players this month, but maybe an aggressive approach now could also pave the way to sign both youngsters in the summer.
At that time we will hopefully be back in the Premier League and Rafa has a great record in England’s top division with Liverpool and he is known as a top manager around the world.
Rafa could persuade the two of them in the summer to join Newcastle’s burgeoning revolution under Rafa Benitez.
Dynamo Zagreb center-back Filip Benkovic
Croatian newspaper Sportske also reported that Filip Benkovic as well as Coric is wanted by Newcastle but the fee for him is estimated to be as much as £25M.
Paying out £35M for these two would be a risk and take courage, but at some point if you want to be a great team again it takes boldness like this to build up the side.
Filip Benkovic is a 6ft 4ins tall defender who has played 45 times for Dynamo Zagreb with two goals and Ante Coric has played 105 times for Dynamo Zagreb with 16 goals.
It’s at least good that Newcastle are looking at these top young players with a view to trying to get them to Newcastle either this month or in the summer.
We may have a better chance of getting them in the summer.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
9 comments so far
ShirebrookToon
Jan 23, 2017 at 9:00 PM
Comment #1Isn’t someone trying to bring a law in on not allowing heading the ball. Bit far fetched but I’m sure I heard commentators on about it on sky sports yesterday
jazzyp
Jan 23, 2017 at 9:01 PM
Comment #2Me thinks this rumour is as far fetched as it can get this January.
Thought Mashley only wanted loan deals this month??
ShirebrookToon
Jan 23, 2017 at 9:03 PM
Comment #3Can’t see this happening. In the summer maybe but not now
simon376
Jan 23, 2017 at 9:04 PM
Comment #4Jail from last thread, I just meant wish it wasnt the North East they wee showing, its the same problems all over the country, just wish wasnt showing up here. But yeah, just wish something could be done on a big scale to help these guys out. Totally changed my view when I started working bringing services in 10 years ago, really makes you think. Dont wok doing that anymroe, but still know help is needed.
simon376
Jan 23, 2017 at 9:07 PM
Comment #5Shirebrook, havent heard about a new law, but did hear that everytime somebody heads a ball, loose so many cells. Also a reason why players start to loose hair
jazzyp
Jan 23, 2017 at 9:08 PM
Comment #6The guy who is reporting the deal for Townsend is all about dead this month. Isn’t he from the same paper that stated we were in advanced negotiations yesterday
ShirebrookToon
Jan 23, 2017 at 9:11 PM
Comment #7Simon
I know they are pushing to ban it in youth football but sure I heard commentators mention something about it in pro football
OneAlanShearer
Jan 23, 2017 at 9:16 PM
Comment #8Caulkin is one of most reliable journos. Things can change quickly in football either direction.
The no heading and no offside ideas I think come from Marco van Basten, great player but ideas would ruin the game. Especially no offside.
dannitoon
Jan 24, 2017 at 7:15 AM
Comment #9Trying to ban heading for u16 lvl…. imagine it.. once u reach 16 trying to learn… defenders and forwards would be a thing of the past.. a game of under head height rules with 10 midfielders per team..