Newcastle United were first interested in 23 year-old Spanish U21 Levante central holding midfielder Victor Camarasa back in March 2015, when he was just 20 and the fee at the time was reported as around £5M.
The Spaniard was on loan last season at Alaves and he was impressive and played 37 total games with two goals and three assists – and helped Alaves finish a very good 9th in La Liga last season with 55 points.
So we expect Rafa Benitez has had tabs on the player this season and would have heard from his contacts in Spain of his good form while on loan.
23 year-old Levante central midfielder Victor Camarasa
There’s a report in the Times that both Newcastle and Brighton are now interested in the 23 year-old although with his club Levante having been promoted last season to La Liga it’s not clear whether he will stay in Spain or not.
Brighton are said to be in the lead for the player with Newcastle’s interest not being as strong as the south coast’s side – both clubs having been promoted to the Premier League last season.
We have been linked with many holding midfielders so far this summer and at least three today, so we cannot be signing more than one and possibly two defensive midfielders in this transfer window.
It doesn’t seem that Newcastle’s interest in this player is strong enough to sign him, given the other more experienced defensive midfielders we are being strongly linked with this summer.
But you never know.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
43 comments so far
Toon_Fresh
Jun 23, 2017 at 4:34 PM
Comment #1linked with every holding midfielder in Europe by now
giimps
Jun 23, 2017 at 4:38 PM
Comment #2must be up to 200 players linked now this window, theres only part time footballer rodney mcsmogg who cleans the toilets at edinburgh zoo and plays DM for the hearts and hibbs united that we havent been linked with…..theres time yet though, im sure the mirror will have him linked now someone has mentioned his name as a DM
martoon
Jun 23, 2017 at 4:53 PM
Comment #3If we really were looking at all these players then we must have a scouting & recruitment department the size of a small army – somehow I don’t think so!
WLtoon
Jun 23, 2017 at 4:56 PM
Comment #4How can we believe any story linking us with players.
This is getting beyond a joke now. lst wk we were on the verge of signing lejuene, a week later we find out that we may be pulling out of the deal.
What happened to the Cameroon striker who we were in Advanced Talks with ? Honestly , is there any truth in any of these stories.? i think not.
Were,nt we supposed to have all our new signings in by the start of pre season training and friendlies,, that is only 2 wks away.
cjtoon
Jun 23, 2017 at 4:58 PM
Comment #5Expat:
Yeah I think we could have a solid season with a few quality additions and some younger prospects – maybe a couple of one season wonders in the twilight of their careers etc. If I was choosing I’d definitely plump for quality over quantity – we need to stop getting lumbered carrying the deadwood…
KEEPERS:
Krul – It’s now or never for Tim if Rafa doesn’t want him as #1 he should be sold.
Darlow – I would say he is good on his day but I still lack confidence in him – Him or Krul need to go though.
Elliott – Probably more happy to stay and play second fiddle and good enough when required
Selz – Loaned out.
Woodman – Needs a full season on loan at a good level – Championship would be ideal.
Verdict – Unless Rafa has confidence in Krul/Darlow to cement #1 then we should replace 1 or both of them. It’s impossible to know which is best because of the past few years of injuries for Krul & Elliot. As many others have said I think GK is a fairly safe position for us – granted we’re not talking world class players but all three of the main choices are PL standard.
FULL BACKS
LEFT
Dummett – The best of an average bunch – a solid PL squad player though definitely worth keeping – provides CB cover too.
Lazaar – Honestly haven’t seen enough to judge – If he’s not good enough for the Champ then surely he’s not cut out for the PL?
Haidara – Came in with lots of promise and at times looks composed and confident but needs a full season to show what he can do and I cant see that being in the PL with NUFC.
Verdict: I think LB is definitely an area we should look to re-enforce in the next few windows – Dummett will do a more than adequate job but offers very little in an attacking sense which we could really use. Lazaar I guess needs some game time so a loan or sale seems the best move – Haidara could still make it but will he get enough match time to do so playing second fiddle to Dummett?
RIGHT
Gamez – Signed seemingly for competition and squad bulking but Lil Vurn was in front of him in the team selection for most of the season – needs to be moved on.
Yedlin – So close to being a very good player – needs more coaching but I think he could be a great player for us.
Sterry – Clearly rated by the staff so should be in the squad to provide to competition to Yedlin this season, players never break through without chances! (Perhaps this would’ve been Mbabu had we not just sold him)
Verdict: Yedlin is the obvious starter and is good enough however we do need depth in all positions and Gamez IMO should be moved on to make room for that depth. Sterry should be loaned out unless the staff have enough confidence in him to potentially play large parts of the season should Yedlin pick up a serious knock.
CENTRAL DEFENDERS
Lascelles – Had a solid season playing through the pain barrier – surely can only get better?
Clark – Possibly the signing of the season – total rock in the team – deserves the PL chance!
Mbemba – My favourite of our CB’s – cool calm and comfortable in posession – I really hope we can get him more involved this season – Could do a great job in the DM role too!
Hanley – Again a solid championship player – seems to be on his way back there – so will need replacing.
Verdict: I think the three CB’s we have (assuming Hanley leaves) would do a solid job in the PL but If we are signing any CB’s they either need to be Better than the three we have or young prospects to bulk up the back up options. Lejeune is presumably coming in to give us 4 first team CB’s which should be enough unless we are looking at prospects. Dummett can also cover at CB so we would have 5 options.
WINGERS
LEFT:
Atsu – Can play on both wings and is good enough to do damage in the PL but is he consistent enough or just better as an impact sub?
Gouffran – Has been offered a contract so can only assume we want him for a year or two while we build in the PL – he’s not an exciting player but he works hard and will give 100% – Shouldn’t be more than a squad player though.
Aarons – Has some serious raw talent and pace, something we really lack it will all depend on his fitness but I’d love to see him cement the #11 spot by the end of the season.
Verdict: I think we’re pretty weak in the Left wing department – we can’t rely on these three this season – I would say any player coming in for this position needs to be good enough to be first choice. Aarons has the potential but needs an injury free season to show what he can do, Atsu has the opportunity to prove he can cut it in the PL but he is pretty inconsistent. This would be a priority position if I was in Rafa’s shoes.
RIGHT:
Ritchie – I think most fans would agree he is up there with the first names on the sheet so Its a case of bringing in cover / competition for him.
Verdict: He is hard working and industrious so perhaps a pacey/flair player would be a good option to provide the cover/competition for the RW position. Atsu can cover here and I’m sure Gayle/ Yedlin would be able to cover running the channels but we definitely need another RW option in during this window imo.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS:
Hayden – A great breakthrough season for us – I’d be confident in him doing a job in the PL.
Colback – I think he has shown he isn’t quite up to PL standard and even struggled at times last season.
Saivet – Never really had a chance to show what he can do but If not good enough sell or loan out again.
Shelvey – Not defensive but deep lying – the puppet-master we need a foil for him and cover but definite starter.
Verdict: Arguably you could move on both Colback and Saivet freeing up space for probably 2 more deeper lying midfielders. I think that 1 CM is an essential and a second ‘hot prospect’ would give us 4 providing healthy competition and cover. Shelvey and Hayden are guaranteed starters from what we have at present though imo.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS:
Diame – Much like Yaya Toure but worse – a lethargic unit that occasionally turns it on – Needs moving on IMO
Perez – All the talent in the world, needs a consistent and focused run in the starting 11 – Make or Break.
Dejong – Started the recovery well last season – can he contribute for us in the PL? I’m not so sure…
Verdict: I think the no #10 position is critical to getting Rafa’s system to work I dont think any of the three existing players are good enough although of the 3 I think Perez is best and I would love to see him really rediscover his form this season. If we are breaking the bank to sign one player this season I would love to see a highly creative #10 brought in to make us tick. I would say its a priority position to add to as imo Diame and De Jong should be on the way out.
STRIKERS:
Mitrovic – I think its the make or break season for Mitro – he has a lot to offer but his finishing needs to improve.
Gayle – Has earned his chance to spearhead a PL team – is he good enough? Maybe…
Murphy – Did what he was bought to do – will most likely move on…
Armstrong – needs another season in the championship as a starting 11 player – would love him to make the jump just not sure he’s quite ready
Riviere – I can’t see him getting any chances although barring his finishing he looked like he could’ve been a good player strong and quick but expect him to be sold.
Verdict: Assuming we are going to be playing with just 1 up top 3/4 strikers in the squad is plenty but if we lose Murphy Riviere and Armstrong heads out on loan we will have just 2 in Mitro and Gayle. A third will be required and possibly a 4th, maybe a younger prospect or veteran? I think we should be looking to bring in a striker who has the quality to be the best at the club.
I think there’s plenty to be positive about and a few in and out soon starts to improve the squad. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out…
corkypants
Jun 23, 2017 at 5:03 PM
Comment #6Have we pulled out Lejeune talks when did this happen?
Ron Knee
Jun 23, 2017 at 5:06 PM
Comment #7Eibar have started to source alternatives for £8.7million defender Florian Lejeune and anticipate the French centre-back will leave for Newcastle imminently.
The centre-back wants to join Newcastle and the two clubs have been in contact again this week as a move for the player moves closer. Spanish sources claim Eibar expect Newcastle to trigger the 10million Euro release clause very soon – with the La Liga club now looking to replace Lejeune, who has told friends he will move to Tyneside to hook up with Rafa Benitez’s side. (Today’s Chronicle)
AncientC
Jun 23, 2017 at 5:11 PM
Comment #8Pellegrini back in the Premier League. I am looking forward to Benitez locking horns with him next season.
Bryan
Jun 23, 2017 at 5:11 PM
Comment #9Bored, bored, bored.
In relation to what we think Rafa has to spend, Ashley said he could have every penny generated from promotion. Lets look at that. We got a £41m parachute payment from the Premier League at the end of the season, plus £7m for winning the Championship that equals £48m if my GCE maths is correct. Plus anything we make in sales of players. This does not come anywhere near the £75m – £100m that everyone thinks. Maybe thats why all these players who are linked to us are around the £10m – £15m mark. Unfortunately, £10m – £15m gets you very average players in todays market which isn’t good for us.
Don’t know what anyone else thinks.
Bambams
Jun 23, 2017 at 5:13 PM
Comment #10It’s quite odd on here lately, we all have been burned previously with Ash promises and we simply do not know if we are going to spend 6.8 million or 100+ million
Is there another football club in the world we can say this about ?
toon kk
Jun 23, 2017 at 5:20 PM
Comment #11Most of these links to players are purely speculation.
Time we were starting to make some real progress. I’m sure players will arrive but it’s time certainly taking time.
Ron Knee
Jun 23, 2017 at 5:25 PM
Comment #12AC
Pellegrini or Pellegrino?
“Southampton have appointed Mauricio Pellegrino as their new manager.
“The 45-year-old Argentine replaces Claude Puel, who was fired after one season in charge earlier in June.”
AncientC
Jun 23, 2017 at 5:30 PM
Comment #13Ron Knee, I stand corrected. I caught a report on the radio, sounded like Southampton had appointed Pellegrini – I had not heard of Pellegrino before, so made an assumption.
Ron Knee
Jun 23, 2017 at 5:36 PM
Comment #14AC
We’ll just have to wait a bit longer for Benitez vs Pellegrini!
nightfa11
Jun 23, 2017 at 6:04 PM
Comment #15Bryan
True.. But there was also money avaliable in January.. We’ve bid 20 mio for cairney.. But they wanted more, so charnley decided to wait for summer window and spend it then..now..
beermonkey
Jun 23, 2017 at 6:15 PM
Comment #16and the sissoko money
nightfa11
Jun 23, 2017 at 6:22 PM
Comment #17Beermonkey
True.. But it’s a shame we’ve spend half of it on Lazaar, gamez and Sels (transfers and signing on fee).. But on the bright side.. Those 3 contribute to our squad the same amount of effort as sissoko.. And we still have 15 mio to spend 🙂
beermonkey
Jun 23, 2017 at 6:26 PM
Comment #18nightfa11
did we end the summer 30 mill in profit
nightfa11
Jun 23, 2017 at 6:32 PM
Comment #19Beermonkey
So it was our best guess, but we’re forgetting about signing on fees.. And for (I think we signed 10 players) wasn’t cheap.. I’m guessing between 5-10 mio..
Jib
Jun 23, 2017 at 6:34 PM
Comment #20Enjoy your retirement Blowers
Apologies to those who don’t “get” cricket
Jib
Jun 23, 2017 at 6:39 PM
Comment #21Two footy polls to catch the eye this weekend
One in L’Equipe votes Sissoko into the best squad of French international players this century !
The other in AS – the monster Spanish footy magazine – votes Rafa as no.5 in a top 10 of managers in Europe.
Ahead of Wenger !
beermonkey
Jun 23, 2017 at 6:43 PM
Comment #22nightfa11
spose we will have to wait till sept to know all the answers only about 11 long weeks
RUNAWAY777
Jun 23, 2017 at 6:48 PM
Comment #23Where’s all these players come from I said early in the week there would be know signing this week god how I would love to be wrong but it’s nearly end of the week and guess what ?
jazzyp
Jun 23, 2017 at 6:52 PM
Comment #24I thought we sold Sissoko at the end of the window leaving us way in profit??
beermonkey
Jun 23, 2017 at 7:05 PM
Comment #25jazzy
thats what i thought
jazzyp
Jun 23, 2017 at 7:17 PM
Comment #26Beermonkey
We only received a 6mill down payment and if Spurs were to sell him this summer, We would receive payment in full as well as the 10 mill from Thauvin.
Our Toon
Jun 23, 2017 at 7:18 PM
Comment #27Let’s not forget sissoko and Gini sales would also have funded the debt as a result of relegation
beermonkey
Jun 23, 2017 at 7:36 PM
Comment #28ourtoon
didnt our owner chuck 30 mill in to the company coffers
welshgeordie9
Jun 23, 2017 at 7:52 PM
Comment #29Another slow day in us trying to get players in, it’s like watching big brother.
Our Toon
Jun 23, 2017 at 7:59 PM
Comment #30Beer
Yeah he did but not for free, he’ll take that back from the sales
beermonkey
Jun 23, 2017 at 8:01 PM
Comment #31jazzy
there wont be another mug team willimg to buy sissoko unless he goes for a few mill
we truly pulled levy’s pants down and spanked his bum getting 30 mill for sissoko
Bambams
Jun 23, 2017 at 8:03 PM
Comment #32For the 6th time this week ‘allegedly’
Newcastle have reportedly triggered the release clause of Florian Lejeune.
(Newsnownewcastle)
welshgeordie9
Jun 23, 2017 at 8:04 PM
Comment #33Someone liked that comment.
Ha ha ha
beermonkey
Jun 23, 2017 at 8:05 PM
Comment #34ourtoon
we wont know that till the next lot of accounts are out
and even after that we wont really know lol
tbh rafa knows what he has to spend and he is still here so that means he is happy
if he is happy i wont worry to much
jazzyp
Jun 23, 2017 at 8:42 PM
Comment #35Beer
Rather than the stage payments of 6 mill. Whatever Spurs sell socks for. Levy has to pay us back the full amount
Offkey
Jun 23, 2017 at 8:57 PM
Comment #36Vuckic has gone to FCC twenty, good luck to him. Reckon he
Might do ok over there
Offkey
Jun 23, 2017 at 8:58 PM
Comment #37Spellcheck – ffs
sing in the corner
Jun 23, 2017 at 9:30 PM
Comment #38Football hell bent on eating itself man. PSG offering £119million for 18yr old Mbappe of Monaco???
Any old shite costs you over 10 million this transfer winda.
Rotonda heights
Jun 23, 2017 at 9:37 PM
Comment #39welsh
you’re the rather sad type of individual who would watch big brother. Thankfully most of us have a life.
Rotonda heights
Jun 23, 2017 at 9:43 PM
Comment #40i think what ash might like is that historically rafa has brought through an awful lot of youth players who could all cut it at his previous clubs, therefore necessitating him to make only a few expensive signings season on season. Just as interesting to see who rafa is bringing in below the first team squad.