If Sky Sports are correct, then Andros Townsend is not that expensive and two years after we sold him to Crystal Palace for £13M Palace want £17M for him.
That would be an excellent deal for Newcastle – just a premium of £4M after two years.
And we know the England winger will be able to slot right into the way Rafa wants him to play.
Matt Ritchie – Stoke bid £11,5M for him – turned down
Here’s the tweet today from Sky Sports north-east correspondent Keith Downie on Ritchie and Townsend:
Newcastle & Stoke remain apart on their valuation of Matt Ritchie. Stoke offering £11.5m, NUFC want £15m+.
We’re told Crystal Palace want £17m for Andros Townsend, who would replace Ritchie on Tyneside.— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) July 6, 2018
If that’s true, Newcastle haven’t turned down a bid for Ritchie from Stoke for £15M as recently reported.
But rather, it’s almost the same fee we paid for the Cherries winger two years ago.
It seems that if the Potters raised their bid to a little over £15M then Rafa could let him go.
But before Matt leaves (if he does) Rafa will also want Kenedy into Newcastle.
However, the reports are that Chelsea want £30M for the 22-year-old Brazilian, who did so well for us on loan this year.
But we seriously doubt the fee is that high – and maybe £20M is more realistic?
It would be a coup for Rafa is he can get both Kenedy and Townsend into Newcastle this summer.
If he does then it could mean the likable Matt Ritchie is on his way after an excellent two years at Newcastle.
Comments welcome.
172 comments so far
toon kk
Jul 6, 2018 at 3:52 PM
Comment #1I’m would be happy enough to bring Townsend back to Newcastle but Richie is one of our best player’s is Townsend a big improvement?
Jib
Jul 6, 2018 at 3:55 PM
Comment #2Mr Tuff
Georginio Wijnaldum
£14.5m
Aleksandar Mitrovic
£13m
Chancel Mbemba
£7m
Ivan Toney
£2 m
Florian Thauvin
£12m
Henri Saivet
£5m
Jonjo Shelvey
£12m
Andros Townsend
£12m
Actually £77.5M
swemag
Jul 6, 2018 at 3:57 PM
Comment #3If this is true it is very good news.
Townsend and Kenedy on the wings with Shelvey in the middle feels quite alright.
The sign Mbappe for 230 million. We should be alright after that.
chicousa
Jul 6, 2018 at 3:59 PM
Comment #4Yeah, it would be tough losing Ritchie. Such a hard working player and very effective if not spectacularly gifted. A leader on the team. If however for family reasons he actually wants the move then fair enough.
He had a bit of hard luck this past season as I think he hit the post about half a dozen times or more!
toonincheek
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:01 PM
Comment #5Townsend isn’t the big character and inspiration that
Ritchie is so that affects performance throughout the
team.
If we get Kenedy on loan, it means we can’t loan
another player from Chelski. Can understand, though,
that Kenedy may want to leave if Rafa doesn’t stay.
RobLeenio
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:05 PM
Comment #6Townsend and Ritchie are very different players, moving Ritchie on in favour of Townsend doesn’t necessarily reflect badly on Ritchie, it just suggests Rafa wants to set the team up differently and Ritchie would be relegated to a bit-part role which I don’t think he would want.
If he left, he’d go with my gratitude for the two years he’s been here and the work he’s put in during that time. If he stayed, I’d be very happy with that also as he seems like a great lad and an important part of the team ethic which Rafa has built.
Diddly
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:15 PM
Comment #7Graves on twitter again spouting if rafa can pull this off it willbe exciting. Why do it no actual storey. I suppose I shouldn’t take notice but it gets on me nerves
The next Mike Williamson
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:32 PM
Comment #8not only did mclaren spend a lot, he got some great players. shame he is one of the worst managers ever.
Pottsclock
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:36 PM
Comment #9I don’t think Thauvin will be joining this physical encounter with Uruguay….physicality not one of his strengths.
RobLeenio
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:37 PM
Comment #10Great words from our skipper
“We play for one another. We play for the badge. We play for the fans and the staff and, of course, for our families.
“There’s not one player here that would just play here to try and get a move or for more or whatever. It’s not about that. We’re loyal. We’re a hard-working, young group of players, and it’s going to stay that way.”
Tsunki
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:46 PM
Comment #11Was Merino hanging around when he said that ? 😉
neverbeento wembly
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:50 PM
Comment #12Dont believe any of it, it is all b.s. until Rafa signs a new contract
RobLeenio
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:50 PM
Comment #13Ha, Merino – conspicuous by his absence today…
lesh
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:52 PM
Comment #14I may be wrong but with the exception of Townsend, weren’t the McLaren signings down to Carr? Didn’t Schteev have to fight to get him in?
Jib
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:56 PM
Comment #15Not much training on the first day back
Ron Knee
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:56 PM
Comment #16lesh
I don’t think McClaren was responsible for any of the summer signings.
Tsunki
Jul 6, 2018 at 4:59 PM
Comment #17You have to be very careful about structuring a sentence with “McLaren” and “Responsible” in it. 😐
Jib
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:03 PM
Comment #18lesh
Weren’t the McLaren signings down to Carr
Not relevant
The signings could have been down to Kath Cassidy
£70+ was made available
Jib
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:04 PM
Comment #19£70M+ even
Tsunki
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:06 PM
Comment #20I supposed £70m could qualify as £70+
RobLeenio
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:06 PM
Comment #21I think I’m yet to see a photo of Matz Sels where he doesn’t look severely p!ssed off….
On the other hand, Joselu never seems to stop grinning.
I wonder who’s best to have around the squad?
Tsunki
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:10 PM
Comment #22I have a feeling that exactly the budget promise that Charnley makes, it’s along the same lines as”every penny” .
Charnley – “You have a budget of many millions Rafa!”
Rafa – “Estupendo!. Er..how much, exactly?”
Charnley “*coughs*…three*cough*million…”
Tsunki
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:11 PM
Comment #23Rob – I reckon they would both have the same thought bubble above their heads –
“Wow! I can’t believe I’m still here!”
Mister Tuff
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:20 PM
Comment #24Jib – thanks for your list.
The first two Gini and Mitro were to all intents and purposes on their way to SJP before McLaren arrived. So nowt to do with him. There’s a third of the dosh gone with no input by Wally Brolly. So your take that Mr Tubbs is beneficial to the managers really doesn’t stand up.
DaveD1000
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:24 PM
Comment #25Laffed like a girl.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: “We were called today to a back lane in Heaton, where a 24-year-old man was on his way to buy breakfast when he stepped on some tarmac, lost his footing and went straight through the road. The tarmac had become very soft during the current heatwave and had melted. The young man stayed calm and called 999 for help even though his left leg was thigh deep in the road. We arrived around three mins later and proceeded to dig around him with a hammer and chisel to gently ease his leg out. Thankfully he didn’t break his ankle as he was wearing his granddad’s Dr. Martens”.
Read more at: https://inews.co.uk/news/man-stuck-road-tarmac-melted/
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:29 PM
Comment #26Great to see you clearly have moved on Tsunki…could you keep moving then…just a little bit further…further…further! Did you reach the next blog? Good then you’re there 😉
jazzyp
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:35 PM
Comment #27Well Rafa back as well as the players.Pre season started,So no more excuses let’s get the players in who Rafa wants and move forward as a club.
Jib
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:38 PM
Comment #28Mr Tuff
So your take that Mr Tubbs is beneficial to the managers really doesn’t stand up.
what ?
Who trained and picked the team ?
Another snow job and obfuscation by
folk who don’t really know what they’re talking about.
Jib
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:42 PM
Comment #29Rafa talks
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-boss-rafa-benitez-14876961
bettyswallocks
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:49 PM
Comment #30Jesper……… Hope you have got over the defeat to Croatia. I genuinely thought you deserved to win. What are your thoughts on the England / Sweden game tomorrow. Any preferences as to who wins?
Mister Tuff
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:52 PM
Comment #31Brazil United v the Belgiums should be a decent game. Belgian is just a little country so they’ve done quite well so far.
Jib
Jul 6, 2018 at 5:56 PM
Comment #32Mister Tuff
Brazil United v the Belgiums should be a decent game.
Belgian is just a little country so they’ve done quite well so far.
Keep this wonderful football news and analysis coming
What a fabulous contributor you are !!!
You and Jesper are vying for blogger of the season
Jib
Jul 6, 2018 at 6:03 PM
Comment #33Rio de Janeiro
and
Sao Paulo
(they are cities in Brazil Mr Tuff)
each have larger populations than Belgium !!!!
Jib
Jul 6, 2018 at 6:07 PM
Comment #34Of course England has 20 cities with a larger
population than Iceland
Jail can tell you all about Iceland’s footy team
bettyswallocks
Jul 6, 2018 at 6:08 PM
Comment #35Jib…….. Are you back in the UK? Just wondered what the mood was in Spain after their dismal showing.
Mister Tuff
Jul 6, 2018 at 6:12 PM
Comment #36Wow Jib – you have been progressing with your geography – very good.
I recall when you first started posting on here you thought Brazil was in Africa.
Jib
Jul 6, 2018 at 6:12 PM
Comment #37I’m back sweltering here Betty
I left before they were eliminated
At the moment I’m texting all my
Real Madrid supporting pals
“Arrivederci Ronny”
You wouldn’t believe the abuse I’m getting back
😀
Jib
Jul 6, 2018 at 6:16 PM
Comment #38I left a Union Jack (I couldn’t find an England flag)
tied to my terrace railing , just to wind up my neighbours
Mister Tuff
Jul 6, 2018 at 6:16 PM
Comment #39Woah – Jib that’s very naughty of them giving you abuse -disgraceful.
chicousa
Jul 6, 2018 at 6:19 PM
Comment #40Rafa talks and ‘admits Newcastle United have endured a “difficult transfer window” so far.’
Hmmm. ‘Cup half empty’ type folks will see this as not very encouraging and want Ashley out! ‘Cup half full’ types will point out the ‘so far’ bit. Rob will hope the lack of incomming and outgoing completed deals might indicate a sale of the club!
In this case and after 4 “difficult transfer windows” in a row I am firmly in the glass half full group!
Ashley Out!