Yesterday, Newcastle were linked with moves for Galatasaray winger Ryan Babel and RB Leipzig’s Ademola Lookman. There couldn’t be a starker contrast between the two players.
Babel is a 33-year-old at the twilight of his career while Lookman, who just turned 22 in October, has the bulk of his career ahead of him.
The deal for Babel was said to be a permanent move which just doesn’t fit the Newcastle profile. Ajax were also reported to be interested in the Dutch international. That sounded like a more likely destination for the Dutch international.
It appears as though Babel will return to Ajax, where his career got started all those years ago. According to reports, he could be announced as early as this afternoon.
Ajax have sealed a deal with Galatasaray to sign Ryan Babel on loan for the rest of the season.
Only a few paperwork issues need to be sorted before it is confirmed. (VI)
— Dutch Football (@FootballOranje_) January 8, 2020
The link that seems to have something in it is the one to Lookman, who has just four appearances for Leipzig since joining this summer.
The news that Newcastle were attempting to bring the English winger back to the Premier League on a 6-month loan with an option to buy sounds encouraging.
The Chronicle have issued the following comment from Sky Germany on the former Everton man:
“Lookman absolutely wants to leave RB Leipzig this winter. With Newcastle and his people, they have largely agreed to work together.”
This is a promising development, if accurate. Newcastle could get a much-needed transfer breakthrough and do so relatively early in the window.
13 comments so far
G
Jan 8, 2020 at 11:55 AM
Comment #1Mario Gotze has been made available by Dortmund. Not sure he is the same player he used to be, but at 27, I would hope he has a few years in the tank. We could never afford his wages mind, but it’s nice to dream.
Lindisfarne
Jan 8, 2020 at 11:57 AM
Comment #2They will use Lookman & Bowen to play off each other to get the cheaper deal.
TomaKaThor
Jan 8, 2020 at 11:58 AM
Comment #3Personally I don’t want either, everytime I’ve seen Lookman hue has looked between mediocre and average… No better than Atsu
Jail for Ashley
Jan 8, 2020 at 12:04 PM
Comment #4Munster,
You miss the point spectacularly, of course Bruce would have preferred Perez and Rondon just as Churnley would have preferred Allardyce or Moyes but unfortunately the two don’t go hand in hand. If you want to have a ridiculous transfer policy in place that won’t allow your second top scorer and player of the season to be signed for a paltry 16.5M because he is 30 years old (when Glen Murray is 36) then you have to go as far down the list as McLaren or Bruce to put up with said policy!
Jib
Jan 8, 2020 at 12:10 PM
Comment #5Geordie-john
On previous
Of Jarrod Bowen’s remarkable 16 goals in 26 games
He was selected on the right wing for 13 of them
Reilly
Jan 8, 2020 at 12:12 PM
Comment #6Keith Downie
@SkySports_Keith
· 4m
Update: We’re told Newcastle have held preliminary discussions with RB Leipzig over the potential loan (with option to buy) of Ademola Lookman.
We are told the winger wants to leave the Bundesliga league leaders.
Jib
Jan 8, 2020 at 12:13 PM
Comment #7Raheem Sterling’s 20 goals in 30 games this season
LEFT WINGER
Assassins Inc
Jan 8, 2020 at 12:13 PM
Comment #8Off course we all now we need a striker but with this story doing the rounds wouldn’t this be a good purchase for Newcastle for our midfield.
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has apparently told Gylfi Sigurdsson that he will be sold in the January transfer window.
JDdubai
Jan 8, 2020 at 12:23 PM
Comment #9Would happly take Lookman on loan with an option to buy, dont see a downside to that. Would mean we could get Bowen as well on a transfer and can push Lookman into the summers budget if it works out well.
Would also set us up to go 4 at the back too as would give us better strength out wide to go 4231 or whatever.
Still need the CF tho.
TomaKaThor
Jan 8, 2020 at 12:25 PM
Comment #10Well I hope I’ve missed something with Lookman, and it’s only a loan and more numbers I guess although it’s all pretty pointless unless we get a good STRIKER in… I still want Piatek in an ideal world but I simply can’t imagine him wanting to come to us even on loan.. He will have much better destinations
SPRINGY
Jan 8, 2020 at 12:38 PM
Comment #11Not sure about lookman… looked a threat at times what ‘ve seen of him but could say that about atsu….if its a loan then why not get him in and see what happens
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 8, 2020 at 12:38 PM
Comment #12Like most fans when the transfer window was open I’d have SSN on in the house playing in the background, radio 5 live at work, check all the papers and sites like newsnow, constantly looking for a bit of gossip and something to lift the city and club
Now I don’t waste my time.
At one point the transfer window was exciting, now its just a time wasting exercise for those in charge of the club.
The transfer window is just a reminder of Ashleys orders to do the bare minimum required to keep the club in the EPL.
Munster Mag
Jan 8, 2020 at 12:43 PM
Comment #13Jail, rafa knew the gig pretty quickly. Obviously I agree that the transfer policy is rubbish but that’s been well documented.