The Sun’s Alan Nixon has an article that Steve Bruce is planning to strengthen Newcastle’s midfield with a bid for Everton’s James McCarthy.
McCarthy was linked to Newcastle along with teammate Yannick Bolasie a couple of weeks ago.
In fact, James had been deemed a constant target when Rafa Benitez was at the helm but was always priced out of a move to Newcastle.
James McCarthy– long-term target now available
Nixon says that Steve Bruce and Newcastle are plotting a £5m move for the Republic of Ireland international. McCarthy, however, is 28-years-old and has a history of injuries.
While £5m would be a good deal for a Premier League experienced midfielder, Mike Ashley seems unwilling to sanction a few extra million to get top target Allan Saint-Maximin over the line. So we’ll remain skeptical on this link until we see that a bid is made.
We do have a good core in midfield at the moment with Sean Longstaff, Isaac Hayden, Ki Sung-yueng, and Jonjo Shelvey but really should be adding another body for depth.
They are a couple of injuries away from being short. Both Sean Longstaff and Jonjo Shelvey had major injuries last year. There is always Jack Colback who we suppose could do a job as cover.
In retrospect, it seems a poor decision to have let Mohamed Diame go. He’s worked with Steve Bruce at Hull City and has loads of experience. He would be a better option than Colback.
So maybe McCarthy has been identified as a good replacement for Diame. Though we do think if Newcastle bring in another midfielder it will likely be one quite a few years younger.
169 comments so far
Sad Frog II
Jul 28, 2019 at 11:22 AM
Comment #161#pray #boycott #voodoo #shoutitoutloud all works do it, do it!
Slatymag
Jul 28, 2019 at 11:22 AM
Comment #162@swemag
If they don’t strengthen sharpish they may as well keep Gayle for the Championship. Worth is weight in gold in that division.
Moonraker15
Jul 28, 2019 at 11:23 AM
Comment #163Baloney
If you don’t support the boycott you are supporting Ashley! It’s quite simple he’s once again rubbing his hands with the money he’s making! Otherwise WHERES THE MONEY GONE?
#if the cap fits#
Jul 28, 2019 at 11:23 AM
Comment #164swemag …
think he picked up a hamstring injury mate …
Tony Baloney
Jul 28, 2019 at 11:23 AM
Comment #165Froggy: I know that Oldarse will not believe me but I worked with some Grant Thornton Partners about 10 and 15 years ago in Chicago. Total shysters the lot of them. Fckin crooks. So you are not wrong on your assessment of their London pals I bet.
Tony Baloney
Jul 28, 2019 at 11:27 AM
Comment #166Moonraker:
because I am not FOR the boycott doesn’t mean I am not AGAINST Ashley. I can hold two different concepts in my mind at the same time!
oldarse
Jul 28, 2019 at 11:34 AM
Comment #167Balooney you made chewing gum for a living your still blowing bubbles ffs
onmeedsun
Jul 28, 2019 at 11:43 AM
Comment #168Why does everyone on this blog still not understand the club finances under Ashley. The only funds that have found their way to Ashley are repayments of short term relegation loans. 2 of these to shore up the significant cash losses of relegation. Without those Rafa would have had more funds for players. Must be at least £150m. Of course Ashley was responsible for both relegations but he will not take the hit, instead forcing the club to be self sufficient. If we had an owner like Everton then we would never get relegated and would be pushing the top 6. But then he didn’t pay £250m for his club.
Ashley will never sell at a loss as I don’t believe he’ll need the cash that badly, so we have to stay in the PL and hope someone is prepared to buy the club. The Trust should be working with Ashley to see how we can facilitate a sale.
The SD tax issue sounds to me like a transfer pricing one. Probably wants to pay less tax in Belgium if it has a higher tax rate than other European countries, so overstates the transfer cost of goods into Belgium, thereby understating the profit.
All the big pharmaceutical companies have been doing this for years.
There will be a negotiated settlement and it will all blow over, so don’t hold your breath waiting for the collapse of SD, as much as we’d all love it.
Let’s judge Bruce and his squad in 2 weeks.
If we haven’t spent another £50m net then we have every right to kick off and launch into Ashley, Charnley and Bruce.
Munster Mag
Jul 28, 2019 at 12:08 PM
Comment #169On meedsun, fair post. Presume you are now a shill though :). I think SB might get more out of Ashley than benitez did actually.