21 year-old Jonathan Bamba moved to St. Etienne back in 2011 when he was only 15 and he has been there ever since, although he did have a loan spell at the first half of last season at Sint-Truiden (8 appearances 2 goals) and then he went on loan at Angers in January, where he played 19 times with 3 goals and 2 assists.
And there’s news today in Foot Mercato that Newcastle are interested in signing the winger with Italian clubbing Atalanta, who finished 4th in Serie A last season, also reported keen on signing the youngster.
Bamba has played 15 games for St. Etienne with one goal and one assist and he made his Ligue 1 debut back in January 2015 against Paris Saint-Germain in a 1-0 defeat when he was just 18.
21 year-old French U21 International Jonathan Bamba of St. Etienne
The player was born in the suburbs of Paris in France, but he is of Ivorian descent and he’s played for the French U16, U18, U20 and U21 youth teams.
However a bit of a spanner in the works was that long term manager Christophe Gaultier has left the club after being manager there since 2009 and St. Etienne were unwilling to sell any player until Gaultier was replaced.
The French club have just appointed Oscar Garcia yesterday as their new manager on a two-year contract.
The former Brighton and Watford manager Garcia has left Red Bull Salzburg where he had considerable success winning the Austrian League and Cup double during both the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.
Presumably the transfers will now start up again at the French club.
The news from France is that Newcastle are preparing a bid for the 21 year-old French U21 International, who can play on either wing so he is quite versatile.
The Magpies want to move quickly to beat Italian club Atalanta to signing the player and maybe this is one of the four players Rafa wants to sign within the next couple of weeks?
There is also news Newcastle will try to use Henri Saivet in part exchange for Bamba, since Saivet was at St Etienne last season on loan.
But he didn’t play too well at the French club and the news at the end of the season was that St. Etienne were not interested in signing the former Bordeaux midfielder – so an exchange deal for Jonathan Bamba could prove to be difficult.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
=======
Health Update – I am about half way through my chemotherapy treatment at Rex Cancer Center here in Raleigh, so I thought it a good time to update those interested.
My blood tests were OK on Wednesday and I was given the go ahead for my 4th chemotherapy infusion (of 6) yesterday afternoon.
The next 10 to 14 days have proved to be the worst for side reactions with exhaustion – often complete exhaustion – being the worst side effect due to my very low red blood cell count.
However the good news it that I’m on schedule and hopefully will complete the treatment by early August and then it generally takes around two months to get back to what we’ll call normal – when my hair will hopefully grow back in.
🙂
Then we’ll see how things stand – it’s always hard to know what’s really happening half way though the treatment.
As you may know I am also undergoing Hormone therapy at the same time which also has some side effects – but there’s good evidence over the last two to three years the two treatments taken together can prolong life expectancy for stage four cancer patients.
Obviously I am hoping this will make a (big) difference and I will be able to keep reporting on Rafa’s fantastic revolution unfolding at Newcastle and they look to be really exciting times ahead for all of us.
Howay The Lads!!
=======
53 comments so far
giimps
Jun 16, 2017 at 11:40 PM
Comment #41Thanks for the update Ed and know were all rooting for you heart and soul, were very selfish us bloggers and if our good wishes and positive thoughts can keep you fit and healthy to look after and report on our club then thats what wel do, b*gger off cancer and leave this man alone ….we need him more than you and wer fighting you all the way.
Get well soon mate and wel see this through , Rafa the gafa will show us the way
TudorCrisps
Jun 16, 2017 at 11:42 PM
Comment #42I see sky bet has us as favourites to sign Bas Dost
jazzyp
Jun 17, 2017 at 12:16 AM
Comment #43Edd
Stay strong mate. You will come through this
Oldgit1
Jun 17, 2017 at 12:35 AM
Comment #44Good luck Ed, thinking of you and am sure you will beat this.
Oldgit1
Jun 17, 2017 at 12:46 AM
Comment #45Re tammy, looking at the latest update it appears we are being asked to cough up a million quid for his family, sure, why don’t we make his family millionaires overnight.
I’m getting to dislike this deal even more so. No doubt his agent will want a cut.
I was surprised Chelsea didn’t want a loan payment which I was pleased about but I think there is more to this. Also they are giving him a pay rise of £50,000 per week.
Didn’t rate him when he played for the under 21s. I’m sure we could get better. Hate being played against other teams.
We should tell him to fcuk off.
lesh
Jun 17, 2017 at 1:01 AM
Comment #46Oldgit1
You make a sound argument for giving young Abrahams a miss.
If the kid thinks he’s so good he can pick and choose, then his head’s too big for Newcastle United.
hkgeordie
Jun 17, 2017 at 1:12 AM
Comment #47I check in so many times every day but leave the posting to those in the know. Love all the chat and banter but most of all appreciate Ed bringing us all together. Ed, thank you. What a star. Liked yourself I am a Geordie who has lived across the world but could not imagine a day without my daily intake of the blog. I wish you all the very best with the personal challenges you are facing.
chicousa
Jun 17, 2017 at 2:59 AM
Comment #48Ed,
Hang in there mate! All the best to you as you go thru these treatments. Thanks again for the super human effort of keeping this blog going while you undergo your therapy!
Bobbybee
Jun 17, 2017 at 5:07 AM
Comment #49Just to add my support for you Ed, you do a helluva job with this blog even without the health issues – keep a lot of people happy. I have no doubt you’ll fight this all the way and without question you’ve got the entire Geordie family behind you. Respect and best wishes to you.
Son of a Geordie
Jun 17, 2017 at 7:40 AM
Comment #50Hang in there Ed. Keep up the good fight. Better days are ahead of you.
nut meg
Jun 17, 2017 at 7:41 AM
Comment #51Best wishes Ed, chin up and thanks for keeping me and many others connected to nufc.
sing in the corner
Jun 17, 2017 at 7:47 AM
Comment #52I’d like to echo all of these heart felt messages of support and positive energy to you Ed..
I’m sure it can help you, you have been strong and you are still doing it!
hibbit
Jun 17, 2017 at 8:00 AM
Comment #53best wishes Ed you can win this battle
good luck from all the toon army and thank you for all your hard work in keeping this blog going
stay strong