We were first linked with 25 year-old Torino central midfielder Afriyie Acquah last summer and also about three weeks ago last month Ghana Soccer were reporting that Acquah was a priority signing for Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez.
Newcastle were said at the time to be willing to pay £8M for the defensive midfielder, although Italian Champions Juventus were also said to be interested in the player.
The news today is that Acquah is likely to be leaving Italy altogether this summer, with the player confirming a move to England is almost completed.
25 year-old Torino central midfielder Afriyie Acquah
This is what the 18 times capped Ghanaian International has said to footballmadeinghana.com:
“Yes, it is very likely I will be moving to England.”
“It is 90% complete, but we are still talking, once we finish, I am sure an announcement will be made.”
“It has been a dream of mine to play in England and I am very close to achieving this.”
The 18 times capped Ghanaian international joined Torino as a free agent from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in the summer of 2015.
He is a hard-working midfielder who is good in the tackle and does what defensive midfielders are supposed to do – win the ball in midfield.
He has even been compared with the Chelsea great Michael Essien because of his combative style of play and ability to win the ball.
While it’s an implicit assumption that he’s coming to Newcastle there have been no other clubs linked with him this summer – other than Juventus.
It is expected that Acquah will come in to challenge 22 year-old Isaac Hayden for the defensive midfield berth in the Newcastle first team with local lad Jack Colback very likely to be sold this summer.
There was a report only yesterday that Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce. Jack’s former manager at Sunderland, were willing to pay out £5.2M to get the Newcastle-born star.
The earlier report on Acquah in Ghana Soccer last month was that Rafa Benitez wanted to sign the Ghanaian last summer, but Newcastle being relegated stopped that from happening.
This lad looks like a strong player so let’s hope we can get him to Newcastle with the move said to be 90% complete – however often the last 10% is the most difficult.
But we hope we can this lad signed and through the door – and this week too!
🙂
Comments welcome.
96 comments so far
Our Toon
Jun 19, 2017 at 2:46 PM
Comment #1I like the way this week is heading, excellent news if we get all 3 this week
TudorCrisps
Jun 19, 2017 at 2:52 PM
Comment #2Can any one tell me the crack with season tickets.
I want to get me and the dragon one.
Can you visit st James box office and fill all relevant paper work out over there? Do you need to take any thing with you like I.d and do u have to pay any thing upfront if I choose DD? Never had a season ticket not sure how to go about it.
Thump
Jun 19, 2017 at 2:59 PM
Comment #3@Tudor: My renewal form hit my doormat on Friday, and it said next Monday is general sale. Pop in early if you can, because it’s likely to be rammed.
Thump
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:01 PM
Comment #4Oh, forgot the most important bit – all can be done at the box office. All you need is you bank account # and sort, then the branch address and you’re golden. I took in my drivers license too.
Bambams
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:02 PM
Comment #5Allegedly this lad has just ‘followed ‘ NUFC on Twitter…..
Must be a definite signing then
martoon
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:04 PM
Comment #6TudorCrisps – It explains it here
https://www.nufc.co.uk/tickets/newseasontickets
TudorCrisps
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:04 PM
Comment #7Thump so general sale today mate? Will it still be open now do you think?
lochinvar
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:05 PM
Comment #8Tudor – defo can pay by monthly direct debit , give the ticket office a call to check availability – you might even be able to state which part of the ground you want as while some areas are long term season ticket holders there always a few who don’t renew for whatever reason. Happy hunting.
SPRINGY
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:07 PM
Comment #9Aboubaker looks are good player,great feet around the box,eye for a pass,good goals and strong as an ox…. Wouldn’t say he is blisteringly fast but quick enough….do have to say this was viewed on the dennis wise scouting network like..and at10m seems a good deal.
1949BH PROUDTOBEAGEORDIE
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:07 PM
Comment #10dont know anything about this one but would be happy if the interest in aboubakar is true .watched him a number of times playing for lorient .playing games at home on plastic pitch he was the biggest reason they stayed up .quick and powerful i was surprised he went to porto for such a small fee. if he is still the same he could be a good deal.
TudorCrisps
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:08 PM
Comment #11I rang earlier was on the phone about 15 minutes then it just cut me off
Christopher Asprilla
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:08 PM
Comment #12This lad is the real deal. He can be strong in the tackle but a good distributor and has goals and assists in him . If you look at his Wikipedia page it says that he is already a Newcastle player just signed! Do they know something we don’t? The lads are also being linked with Porto’s Aboubkar . Another impressive player . Anyone who plays Football Manager should know him 19 goals last year . It’s hotting up outside and in St James! HWTL
martoon
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:10 PM
Comment #13Certainly looks like Rafa is trying to strengthen the spine – strong links to a Centre Back, Centre Midfielder and Striker and that is just today! Slightly concerning when the AfCon comes around but worry about that next season – I guess there is better value in these players?
WWSBRD
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:11 PM
Comment #14Ok blog scouts cheers for that the striker sounds like exactly what we’d need
Round 2 now…whats this lad about?
Bobbybee
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:12 PM
Comment #15Looks like we’re going to sell a lot of ST’s this season. With all the renewals and now people queuing up all looks good.
I’ve managed to get my old seat back so I’m well happy. Had to move last season because of an error, but got my old seat back and all’s well.
Still sat in my old seat last season though, because they guy who had my seat was happy to swap places, but it’s nice to be officially back. 🙂
So, looking like another season of sold out SJP! Nothing better imo. Hopefully get the noise back as well.
martoon
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:16 PM
Comment #16TudorCrisps – Judging by a few comments on Facebook contacting the box office seems to be proving very difficult. You might be better off going down there if you can although supposedly there are queues.
lochinvar
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:18 PM
Comment #17So that’s potentially 4 signings this week with Atsu confirmed as a 5th.
New keeper possibly takes us to 6, so 2 more to get us to the rumoured target of 8.
If Tammy wants to join the party he better tell his Agent and Chelsea t stop mucking about.
This lad from Torino looks like a great Acquahisition.
TudorCrisps
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:21 PM
Comment #18Cheers lads
Think al have more luck if I pop down first thing in morning tbh
Bobbybee
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:21 PM
Comment #19Tudor, normally you get put in a queue and they get to you in order, but once you disconnect you go back to the end of the queue. Might be worth jumping on the Metro and turning up in person if possible. If you don’t get any joy today I’d get up early and go to the ground mate. No idea how many ST ‘s are up for sale but they will run out eventually. Is there a limit on ST’ s? By that, I mean is there a rule stating you must have X amount of walk up sales per match? Or could they theoretically sell ever seat as a ST?
1949BH PROUDTOBEAGEORDIE
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:22 PM
Comment #20hope it is true about the interest in these players as i am looking to have a pre season bet on top half .finish at 3/1. my last two bets were year before last in about oct was showing a good profit so had the biggest bet of my life at 4/1 top half finish. last season backed us to win champs when it looked as if rafa was staying but before they cut prices at 4/1 . we deserved it but had to wait from 17 th may and virtually given up with three games to go .well done rafa. only had half as previous season .
Our Toon
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:23 PM
Comment #21I don’t want Tammy anywhere near us, I hope we stay well clear, especially if we get Vincent Aboubakar
Bobbybee
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:29 PM
Comment #22Our Toon, agree on that front. 90% of his goals last season were from within six yards, following mix ups. Those chances are rare in the PL, where defences are stronger. Not knocking the lad, you have to be there to score them, but imo he just won’t get those opportunities next season. Sooner give Arma the chance, who we know can score from anywhere on the pitch and creates his own goals.
Hopefully we’ll get this Cameroon lad and Tammy can mark us off his list of potential clubs. Seems too big for his boots and for just one season? Not for me.
Budge123
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:34 PM
Comment #23Tudor – on line might be your best bet.
Yes to direct debit.
I renewed on line today after waiting and getting nowhere on the phone.
Good luck
jayphoto
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:36 PM
Comment #24know nowt about this lad but theres no way hes the next Michael essien… Essien was the best player in france when Chelsea signed him and was in demand all over Europe! Kid was a beast before injuries. World class DM
jayphoto
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:38 PM
Comment #25Was surprised we didn’t go for Aboubaker when he was at Lorient because surely he would have been on the radar.
All for signing Ligue 1 players but pace and power are a must. Cabella, thauvin, veretout, etc have shown you can be a great ligue 1 player but be found wanting in the PL without it!
Chancel My MBembaship
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:38 PM
Comment #26This lad is definitely the new Michael Essien, at least according to his agent. Ker-ching! Show me the money!
Bobbybee
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:40 PM
Comment #27Another good thing about these long term deals is you don’t have to worry about renewing each season, they do it for you. You agree to X amount of seasons – ten in my case – and that’s it for ten years. As long as you keep up payments they just automatically renew for you without you lifting a finger.
WWSBRD
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:42 PM
Comment #28Am still hoping we get Abraham in personally lads a goal scorer and I’d rather have that in our squad than a rivals
hibbit
Jun 19, 2017 at 3:53 PM
Comment #29WWSBRD
swansea have joined the list of clubs wanting him now
WWSBRD
Jun 19, 2017 at 4:01 PM
Comment #30hibbit
Aye saw that and their ‘classy ‘ owner has outted our intentions aswell
Levi
Jun 19, 2017 at 4:01 PM
Comment #31Worth putting a bet on him getting sent off against Swansea for a tackle on ayew?
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-striker-jordan-ayew-6336957
Bobbybee
Jun 19, 2017 at 4:06 PM
Comment #32https://youtu.be/AwPkehP-fuw
Not knocking him in any way, you need to be there to score the goals. My concern is how many of these chances are likely in the PL? Many scrappy goals arising from really poor defending and failing to clear the ball.
That said, he still finished them. Great credit for that alone. My concern is that he simply won’t get opportunities like the majority of his goals. And for Fifty grand a week? Big gamble imo.
If he does score a hatful, all we’ve done is bump the price Up! Each to their own, but he seems to want a guarantee of game time as well and for an unproven player, that’s a huge gamble. He just wants to many demands for my liking. Still, I trust Rafa’s judgement, just making a point.
WWSBRD
Jun 19, 2017 at 4:09 PM
Comment #33Bobby
If he scores a hat full he may well of kept us up. Wages are high but we’d be paying next to nothing to get him as opposed to 10 plus mill…bet Mitros on similar and we paid a lot more for him in our shirt
Bobbybee
Jun 19, 2017 at 4:18 PM
Comment #34WWSBRD, like I say mate, I’m not knocking him personally. Great credit to the kid and if he was ours I’d be all for giving him a go. He did score a lot of goals and goals win matches. All I’m doing is expressing my concern that I simply can’t see him getting that many sitters in the PL.
Please, don’t think I’m knocking the lad, far from it, I think he did great last season. The PL is a big step up and defences are much tighter. Not often you see the ball pinballing around in the PL is it?
As an out and out poacher he must be up there with the best, but you need a bit more than that I think.
Just my personal take on it, nothing more.
Our Toon
Jun 19, 2017 at 4:23 PM
Comment #35Wwsbrd
Most strikers would have failed the season we went down, zero service for them to feed off. The issue wasn’t as much upfront as it was at the back, yet our skipper last season was given the benefit of doubt even though he was a complete donkey. Same with darlow who made 2 huge errors, take them 2 huge errors away and we’d have stayed up.
Abraham got goals in the championship, the fact chelsea dont think hes good enough to keep around says it all. They are protecting the asset by giving him a new contract. Andre Gray managed to bang them in the lower league and got a modest return last season which matched Mitro, look at bamford, same with Gayle in the PL, why do ppl think someone like abraham will be any different?
corkypants
Jun 19, 2017 at 4:30 PM
Comment #36Is this the same acquah that played for Palermo when they had a good team. if it is I watched him play a lot when he was younger he was brilliant then!! just a bit raw but you could tell he would become a good player that’s for sure (if it is the same guy)
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jun 19, 2017 at 4:44 PM
Comment #37Just read a article on should RAFA have a punt on championship players – two mentioned were Helder Costa at Wolves and Jordan Amni at Villa. The other was a player who we have been liked to in the past Will Hughes at Derby
MMM – any thoughts
Our Toon
Jun 19, 2017 at 4:49 PM
Comment #38Charlie
Costa I like, he ripped Liverpool apart in the cup, but overall he’s a direct player who loves running at the full back with some end product. Think they got him from benfica, not sure on the others
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jun 19, 2017 at 4:59 PM
Comment #39our toon
Costa signed permanently on a four-and-a-half year deal worth a reported £13 million, breaking Wolves’ transfer record in January – seems like Wolves rated him.
knowing the TOON price could be a stumbling point if they went for him
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jun 19, 2017 at 5:04 PM
Comment #40should of read Jordan Amavi bloody spellcheck – been out most of the season with a knee injury – but highly rated by the Villa faithful – maybe not