The Sun are reporting today that Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is interested in signing 22 year-old Chelsea and England youth player Lewis Baker and could make a quick move to sign up the Englishman.
Newcastle are one of a number of Premier League clubs who are interested in doing a deal for the 13 times capped England U21 International (7 goals).
The central midfielder has so far played only 4 times for the Chelsea first team, having made his debut for the Blues in an FA Cup match back in 2014.
Lewis has been at Chelsea since he was 10 years old when he joined them from his home town club Luton Town.
For the last two seasons he has been on loan at Vitesse in Holland, where he has been impressive and played a total of 73 times with 20 goals and looks a very good young player.
Last season he helped Vitesse finish in 5th place in the Eredivisie with 15 goals in 39 total appearances.
It could be that Rafa will go after another loan deal for the 22 year-old, but unlike the deal with Tammy Abraham it should be with an option to buy the player at the end of the season.
Baker has played for England U17, U19, U20 and U21 youth sides and has been a team-mate of Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden in some of those teams.
Other PL clubs said to be interested in the player include Bournemouth and Swansea.
Newcastle will be letting local lad Jack Colback leave the club this summer and Rafa has been rumored to want to bring in two new central midfielder players this summer.
Presumably we could get Lewis Baker in a straight transfer this summer or on a loan deal for the season with an option to buy next summer.
He would seem to be a very good player in the making and he can score goals too.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
75 comments so far
Ron Knee
Jun 11, 2017 at 10:15 AM
Comment #1Armstrong on the bench again.
WWSBRD
Jun 11, 2017 at 10:17 AM
Comment #2Any player going will be linked with is won’t they…still Hayden was similar level of player last season and he worked out well
WWSBRD
Jun 11, 2017 at 10:23 AM
Comment #3jazzy
From previous
Morning haha and fair doos but why has no one bought him yet? Was he in the national team for the Euros?
jazzyp
Jun 11, 2017 at 10:55 AM
Comment #4Wws
Yeah mate he was at the Euros. Unsure why he hasn’t been snapped up yet to be honest. All the big teams have been linked but no buyers as yet.
Again I think he is a player who would be a big step up from what we have.Although I am a fan of Hayden as I think he is one of our better players
jazzyp
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM
Comment #5Arma on the bench
Salmon Fish
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:15 AM
Comment #6Might be a good time to watch Sheyi Ojo and Armstrong if they get a chance. May give a hint if they actually are that good.
That Solanke fella looks promising though.
Average_Contents
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:23 AM
Comment #7Don’t mention Armstrong being on the bench ffs!
WWSBRD
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:25 AM
Comment #8jazzy
That’s what is curious mate seems to of had these links to big clubs but no one has bitten the bullet with him…dunno though maybe just the price tag put people off? I doubt we will pay that much for him though
corkypants
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:27 AM
Comment #9Jazzy
On ings I didn’t realise the extent of his injuries, but at the price quoted he could be a steel still regardless of his injury past remember demba’s bomb knee and that ended happily!! I understand it’s different with the type of injuries ings has suffered but still worth a punt in my eyes.
Average_Contents
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:28 AM
Comment #10Jazzy
Here’s the full Murphy interview. Don’t think he mentions anything about money being as to why he’s off. He knew what he came in for when he signed.
Anyway, at least it wasn’t by txt.
“Rafa is a top, top manager. He texted me after the Uruguay game to say well done.
“I spoke to him last week about my future and he thanked me for what I had done and said they were going to listen to a few offers. I said ‘that’s fine’.
“I always knew I had been brought in there to do a specific job, to help the club get promoted. I had no illusions that I was going to be starting for Newcastle in the Premier League if we got up.
“I have got another year left on my contract and I will go back there for pre-season and just look at my options.
“Last season was good, though. Rafa managed everything very well.
“We had a lot of big name players and maybe if it had been another manager he wouldn’t have got the best out of them as there would have been players sulking.
“But he used every player in the squad at the right time so everybody was fighting for a place.
“When the other strikers got injured, I knew I had to produce the goods for him, and I did, getting three goals in three games.
“We got some good results. I didn’t start many games – just seven in the league, nine in all competitions.
“But I scored six times and felt I deserved my medal whereas before, when I was at Celtic, we won the Cup but I barely featured and didn’t take a medal then because I had not earned it.
“This time I played my part.
“And I have Rafa to thank for that. To work with him, you see at first-hand how good he is and realise why he has such a superb CV.
“His attention to detail, everything is spot-on. He wants to know everything that is going on at the club. He makes time for everyone.”
corkypants
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:29 AM
Comment #11I would love carvalho but think he will move to a champions league side
jazzyp
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:30 AM
Comment #12Wws
Think he has a stupid buy out clause much like Semedo did.
If we could purchase him for what Semedo went for then that would be hell of a bargain.
How many players do you expect to come in this window and players yet to leave ??
Average_Contents
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:32 AM
Comment #13That Calvert-Lewin from Everton looks pants although to be fair, he is consistent as a game I seen him in last season for Everton he looked pants then too.
Solanke looks nowt special either tbh. Probably score now lol.
Average_Contents
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:34 AM
Comment #14Haha, fcuking knew it. Still shite lol
nut meg
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:36 AM
Comment #15england 1-0 up
Jib
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:38 AM
Comment #16Yes you are still shite
WWSBRD
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:40 AM
Comment #17jazzy
I don’t think he’d go 15 mill though would he? 30 seems to be the popular price quoted for him? Tgeres that Malaga CDM who would be more likely in that price bracket I’d of thought
As for numbers mate I’ve no idea I’d expect 5 minimum but wouldn’t shock me to see closer to 10 signed with more leaving most on loan are out the door if we can shift them anyway
jazzyp
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:41 AM
Comment #18Ac
I was going off the quotes off football insider mate.
Says on there about Murphy expects to be sold because of what Transfer kitty Benitez has at his disposal.
Personally hope this is true mate and we start bringing in some top quality players this summer
WWSBRD
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:42 AM
Comment #19A.C.
Aye that Everton lad doesn’t look great so far despite the goal, I quite like that Solanke though on the ball a lot
Wor Woodman looks decent though
Salmon Fish
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:42 AM
Comment #20Aye, Solanke looks no better than Armstrong ha ha, I just liked his tallness and physique tbf..
In the meantime, I remember Paul Simpson was a good talker and organizer when he was McLaren assistant.Shouting on the touch line,giving instructions etc.I would like him to be Rafa’s assistance.
WWSBRD
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:44 AM
Comment #21Lookman looks good aswell
jazzyp
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:50 AM
Comment #22Half way there boys. Same again in the second half and we are World Cup winners…. How mad does that sound.
Lewis Cooke could be another shout as he’s already broken in to the First team at Bournemourh
Average_Contents
Jun 11, 2017 at 11:53 AM
Comment #23Lookman does look good. So does onuma.
ShirebrookToon
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:18 PM
Comment #24Ojo is on!
Phil K
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:23 PM
Comment #25Hayden worked after given time to settle, and I hope his little injury won’t affect his progress and he’ll continue to improve – and this lad may be similar. I like the idea of getting more English/British lads into the team. More reliable than the Continentals. But we need more signings. Batsy at Chelsea too – or Andre Grey – just sign some please
We NEED DESPERATELY a defensive midfielder
Tinman
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:28 PM
Comment #26Get Solanke off then 😉
But in all seriousness he has looked bang average. Bring on Armstrong
Average_Contents
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:31 PM
Comment #27Go on Freddy lad!
Class
jazzyp
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:32 PM
Comment #28What a save…. Geordie to the rescue
nut meg
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:32 PM
Comment #29freddie saves a pen
Average_Contents
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:32 PM
Comment #30TInman
Agreed.
Has he been replaced yet or are they patching him up to bring back on. Hopefully Armstrong comes on.
Nope back on. Bollox that.
Tinman
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:32 PM
Comment #31Get in Woodman lad.
WWSBRD
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:35 PM
Comment #32Aye Woodmans nee bad like Kruls been helping him out
That little lad who came on for them looks cracking
Tinman
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:38 PM
Comment #33WWSBRD
Soteldo could do a job in the number 10 for us ha. Looks tremendous
WWSBRD
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:47 PM
Comment #34Tinman
Is that his name? Changed the game when he came on…bit small though
Our Toon
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:54 PM
Comment #35Well done to the lads winning the u20 world cup, let’s hope the hype and pressure is not turned on these lads now. Some will develop and most probably won’t
jazzyp
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:55 PM
Comment #36Congrats lads… World Cup winners
nut meg
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:57 PM
Comment #37Congrats to the u20s…world cup winners 2017
SPRINGY
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:57 PM
Comment #38Well done to england lads…whatever level it is,its a big achievement…..bit weird saying england are world champions by the way! Lol
Our Toon
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:57 PM
Comment #39It’s been a poor showing by us in the transfer market so far. Papers don’t always get it right but we have been linked with some utter shite, the fact we still haven’t added anyone of note is not what I expected.
Average_Contents
Jun 11, 2017 at 12:57 PM
Comment #40Well done lads!
Excellent result