The Chronicle have reported that Rafa Benitez has now been told there will not be much money available in the transfer market this summer.
It’s said to be about the same amount last year (said to be about £40M) with the added money Rafa can get from selling some of his players this summer, and that could be another £40M – maybe?
Mitrovic, Sels, Mbemba, Colback, Saivet, Aarons, Armstrong, and Gayle could all be moved out this summer.
Rafa Benitez – cannot be happy at his current plight on Tyneside
Rafa cannot be too happy at the lack of funds at Newcastle for the fourth transfer window in a row.
And it seems significant that Rafa hasn’t commented on the Premier League fixtures and the fact we play five top six teams in the first eight games of the season.
Rafa is said to be working hard with Lee Charnley on transfers and that’s good to hear.
And Newcastle will get the next batch of TV money from the Premier League on July 1st but the transfer window closes on Thursday, August 9th, so it’s about three weeks shorter this summer.
If Rafa cannot somehow conjure up a successful transfer window for Newcastle this summer and we struggle again next season – we just cannot see him wanting to stay at Newcastle.
It looks like he will have to fight for money from Mike Ashley in every single transfer window.
He’s too good to have to do that and other more ambitious Premier League clubs will be only too happy to help him meet his significant goals.
It doesn’t look that will be at Newcastle – well not with Mike Ashley as the owner.
We hope things are a lot more positive behind the scenes than what is being portrayed in the press.
And it’s nearly four weeks now since we hammered Chelsea 3-0.
But the feel-good factor has gone and been replaced by the reality that Mike Ashley has no ambitions for Newcastle United.
It’s both pathetic and depressing.
Comments welcome.
48 comments so far
RobLeenio
Jun 15, 2018 at 9:39 AM
Comment #1lesh, you know my (probably hopelessly misguided) theory on why the club is not communicating right now. Any new inbound administration would also look at income streams as one of their first points of business, you would imagine. More fuel for my own, very personal fire.
lochinvar
Jun 15, 2018 at 9:48 AM
Comment #2West Ham have apparently a £70m transfer budget but as they are a state subsidised charity this needs an Ester Rantzen TV special to investigate.
Meanwhile also in London overseas Diplomats owe £110m in unpaid traffic fines and congestion charges. Can’t help thinking that’s just wrong.
Hacks recycling the Townsend links is predictable. Reality is that he’s second hand goods now. Kennedy isn’t and he wants to play for the Toon and has the ability and passion to make a real success as a Newcastle player and develop his career. Surely even Ashley has the nous to sign potential even if in his mind it’s future profit.
Just hope that those who are faced with a hike in their season ticket prices are getting more value for money and get a seat cushion for their troubles.
hibbit
Jun 15, 2018 at 9:57 AM
Comment #3lesh
i have 4 season tickets 2 adults 2 juniors and it looks like my invoice for the season will rise by £270 in total
it did go down by a similar amount when we were relegated 1 season championship 1 season premiership
looks like the new figure is going to be close to the pre relegation figure with this increase
lochinvar
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:24 AM
Comment #4Lesh – I would ask for a Year’s Guarantee like most consumer goods as you won’t want to send the tickets back if you don’t get what you or the rest of us for that matter paid for.
DubaiMicky
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:25 AM
Comment #5lochinvar
Jun 15, 2018 at 7:48 AM
Comment #73
Dubai – have you just published The Times on the blog ? lol
Wor Jack is the pin up boy for our local brew
http://www.thenorthumberlandteacompany.com
(from a couple of posts back – I’ve just got back from my Eid prayers…) 😉
Used to love that tea, decent cuppa that man but.
As for the Times – canny read that n all. (Some of us do take the Times you know (not really I read Caulkin’s Twitter link)).
geordietom
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:25 AM
Comment #6just my thoughts … it been really quiet … no news no nothing coming out of the club off anyone … is there something going on behind the scenes ? … 1 has some one bought the club ( i wish ) and they are gonna spring it on us ?… 2 have we bought some good players … ? or is ashley playing his games ( again ) … but as they say no news is good news …
Mag52
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:35 AM
Comment #7AO.
Genjikai
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:35 AM
Comment #8Hello all, long time follower of the blog, first time poster, toon fan my whole life.
I dont understand how ashley cant see the logic in investing in NUFC. As previously stated by other posters if he cared for his buisniess it could be well more profitable for himself. Me personally i wouldnt care if he took what he wanted, but only if he made us a sucess. Within sucess i mean a team that goes plays there hearts out every week. Its what Rafa is building now, its clear to see. Strengthen key postions with players Rafa actually wants, kennedy is a steal at 20 mill, with his exponential growth in talent grows during 3 seasons at the toon hell be a 80 mill player. Again if ashley cashes in its sad but if he bought another gem to entertain then would i care? Develop the youth its the key to success. Trust Rafa just give him what he wants, he may own the club but its not his club. Its ours.
I wish he would just take the tv money as his debt payment and sell the club for 300 mill. Can we not set up a crowdfunder to try raise the money from around the world say 500mill. Buy our club back then sell it, keep a portion of it to the fans so we have a voice in what happens. Surely the passion of the Toon army can come together and get this sorted. We love them black and white stripes we should prove it.
Mag52
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:36 AM
Comment #9Geordie.
My money’s on ‘games again’.
NezzaNUFC
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:41 AM
Comment #10Can anyone remember when the rib roast chronicle was correct on any news about Newcastle first?
Copy, paste text of other websites more like and how did they know about the transfer before the Newcastle officials!?
Rafa won’t sign a contract until he knows more about the transfers, in fact Rafa being that smart and clever he won’t sign a contract until after January if/when he thinks the club is moving forward!
But until then all these links with players, bs transfer fund reports, takeovers and contracts should be brushed aside until Rafa and/or the club make these official!
RobLeenio
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:44 AM
Comment #11geordietom, I posted some similar speculation last night.
People were kind and humoured me, but I could feel their heads shaking in disbelief at my naivety.
Nevertheless, it just feels to me like there is something going on. This silence is eerie.
Genjikai
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:47 AM
Comment #12The thought of a takeover at christmas time had me buzzing like, i actually thought it was going to happen and we would be rid of ashley. So robleenio i pray to the universe everyday that you are correct.
DubaiMicky
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:49 AM
Comment #13RobLeenio, I think we’re all with you marra.
It’s the hope that kills us.
hibbit
Jun 15, 2018 at 10:59 AM
Comment #14at the risk of a public flogging
…… Keep the faith lads……..
we always new it would be a long haul with Ashley involved
Optimistic Panda
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:01 AM
Comment #15We’ve had nearly no news in 11 years and most of those 11 years weren’t good.
I’m not taking the story of having to shop in the bargain basement as gospel but I do expect that to happen, I can’t see any reason Ashley would want to change his business model.
If it cant benefit SD more than it does what’s the point in investing, he still gets his free ads whether we are first or last, why pay out £200m when he can pay £20m for the same exposure.
Bar the top 5 we’re already on tv more than any other club, he’s got and gets exactly what he wants, free SD exposure.
He has no interest in growing the club or investing in it’s future on or off. I dread to think the state of some of the facilities and what else other than the training ground is out dated.
He’s not a fit and proper owner by any stretch of the imagination, Jail would be too good for him and the sooner he leaves the better.
Mister Tuff
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:10 AM
Comment #16R.I.P Expat.
Fellow contributor to this site passed away yesterday.
The big C got him.
He leaves a wife and a young daughter.
A good lad and lifelong Toon fan.
hibbit
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:14 AM
Comment #17Mister Tuff
very sorry to hear that, a sad day for his family and friends
RIP
RobLeenio
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:16 AM
Comment #18Aw, hell Tuff that’s terrible news. He was a good, balanced and articulate blogger, I enjoyed his contributions. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Tsunki
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:19 AM
Comment #19Awful to hear that.
lesh
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:23 AM
Comment #20RobLeenio
Let’s hope your fire isn’t put out, dampened by disappointment. If and when the day comes, we could look forward to a bonfire on the Town Moor, a bonfire fuelled by discarded SD advertising and an effigy of Ashley on the top.
Hibbit
If you’re happy with ST prices, fine. What I was alluding to was that we’ve not heard of any publicised justification for the increase.
I’ve been nice to hear that the increase would go towards an ambitious programme to build on last season’s work carried out by our world class manager who has agreed to an extension to his contract.
Dream on eh
DaveD1000
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:23 AM
Comment #21R I P Expat…always worth reading.
G
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:23 AM
Comment #22RIP Expat. I didn’t always agree with you, however, we never fell out or failed to have a balanced civilised debate. A big miss to the blog.
Graeme
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:23 AM
Comment #23Sorry to hear the news Mr Tuff – he was a regular contributor, chatted with him regularly on here before!! RIP.
magscar
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:24 AM
Comment #24Mister Tuff
Very sad news. Missed blogger during his recent illness. RIP Expat. thoughts with his wife and young family
lesh
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:26 AM
Comment #25* I’ve been nice to hear that = It’d have been nice to hear that …….
Nicky the ball tosser
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:26 AM
Comment #26Farewell Expat. The boy done good in Aussie, and lived in a beautiful part of it. Has been missed on here. Sad news.
Ron Knee
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:31 AM
Comment #27Mister Tuff
Terrible news. How old was he?
lesh
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:31 AM
Comment #28Hibbit
‘……. always knew it would be a long haul with Ashley involved….’
We’ve always known it would be a long haul?
Hibbit, your verb tense, knew, suggests it’s coming to an end?
Choose your words well Hibbit – people are desperate for good news.
Optimistic Panda
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:32 AM
Comment #29R.I.P Expat
Sad news and already missed.
magic hat
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:35 AM
Comment #30In the replacing Kennedy left wing department we have three options that were all on loan; Lasar (left winger/wingback/lb) arrons and Armstrong. Not to mention atsu. Does anyone know how lasar got on out on loan and where he played? He’s omitted from Ed’s list above.
We need to ship out 2 keepers I expect woodman on loan and sels sold.
That leaves us with dub elliot darlow.
3 keepers
Then 22 outfield players.
2 per position minimum is 20
We have 9 defenders 6 midfield 4 wingers 4 forwards and that’s just the senior players. 23 players not including Armstrong or Toney. Still some room for movement.
lesh
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:37 AM
Comment #31DubaiMicky
Northumbrian tea? Where’s the plantation?
And, Mr T,
Very sad news about Expat, bless him.
magic hat
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:37 AM
Comment #32RIP expat
hibbit
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:38 AM
Comment #33lesh ????
RonVanDam
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:40 AM
Comment #34Anyone else think MA is playing real life FIFA manger with this club? The key to all this is Rafa. If he walks, there won’t be another manager who will be able to gel the club, supporters, bring prestige and good media coverage like him. Ashley needs to make a big call this window otherwise it will be another season of dragging the chain:
Regarding valuations of Mitro, he is more like a 40-60m player and Lascelles around 45m – I would keep both.
hibbit
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:40 AM
Comment #35lesh
right next to the yorkshire tea one !!!!
Optimistic Panda
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:42 AM
Comment #36https://www.themag.co.uk/2018/06/disastrous-newcastle-united-manager-mike-ashley-era-vote-now/
Who do you think is top?
DubaiMicky
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:45 AM
Comment #37RIP Expat. didn’t “know” him as such, but always sad when we lose a fan, thoughts are with his family.
Re Leeds signing Marcelo Bielsa on £2.5m a year (£50k a week) – he sounds as mad as a bag of frogs, will probably do well there.
magic hat
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:46 AM
Comment #38Apparently lassar missed the second half the season as his club signed Bacry Sangna so he was second fiddle. If he puts in the effort he could come back as a reserve leftback for us. Then we’ll have 5 senior fullbacks. Currently the only position we don’t have cover for is Perez in no 10. Obviously a striker would be great but I see that as essential.
DubaiMicky
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:49 AM
Comment #39lesh – Kenya, Sri Lanka (Which is a fantastic country/Island – thoroughly recommend it (only 3 hours from here) and India (not mad about that country, the gap between rich and poor and the caste racism turned my stomach – as did the locals crapping in the gutter).
http://www.thenorthumberlandteacompany.com/our-tea.html
Nicky the ball tosser
Jun 15, 2018 at 11:52 AM
Comment #40Joe Kinnear was pretty entertaining and we played some decent football when he had the reins, but he should never have been appointed. Same with MaClaren, and probably Pardew and Big Sam too. It’s a huge job, and requires a Keegan, Robson and Benitez calibre manager. If Ashley can’t do enough to keep Rafa, it has to be the final straw. First and foremost the club must have a top manager.