Real Betis are reported to want €50M for their 26-year-old attacking French midfielder Nabil Fekir this summer.
That’s according to Spanish daily AS.
But whether they will be able to get that is questionable given there will only a few Premier League clubs who have money to spend this summer.
If we get the OK from the PL on the takeover, then Newcastle will be one of those few clubs, and it’s a buyers’ market this summer.
Another two big clubs, Arsenal and AC Milan are also linked with this player.
Fekir left French club Lyon after eight years there and joined Real Betis last summer on a four-year contract, for an initial fee of €19.75M and €10M in add-ons.
That would be close to €30M in total, so they want a €20M profit in just one year on the player (shown above) – they will not get that in these difficult financial times.
He has done very well in Spain this season and has played 23 times for Betis this season with 7 goals and 6 assists.
Fekir is said to be in no rush to leave Betis unless a massive club like Barcelona or Real Madrid (or Newcastle United?) come after him.
But no club will be paying out €50M for him this summer, not even the new Newcastle under new CEO Ms. Amanda Staveley.
What do you think?
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95 comments so far
Frank pingles come sock
May 4, 2020 at 12:32 PM
Comment #11st
Lindisfarne
May 4, 2020 at 12:33 PM
Comment #2So what’s Caulking up to then?
IrishRob
May 4, 2020 at 12:34 PM
Comment #3If hes playing like he used to hes worth it all day long. Is he as good as he once was though, that I cant answer personally.
Speaking on Betis, I seen that Emerson RB yesterday and he doesnt look that great at all, same with most of the people watching in the comments section, not many seem to be that impressed.
duncandisorderly
May 4, 2020 at 12:34 PM
Comment #4I have to say, for a group of adults who supposedly have the same interests at heart, the amount of petty bickering on this blog is pathetic and embarrassing. I tend to only come here at relatively good times as the atmosphere is much too toxic and depressing when things aren’t going well. I know that passions run deep and there is no easy means of excluding every troll or mackem flying under the radar, but is it so hard to treat others’ opinions with a bit of respect and keep it civil?
TomaKaThor
May 4, 2020 at 12:37 PM
Comment #5Yup, but have you not noticed it’s always the same ones… Unfortunately regulars… Its so boring tbh, makes you wonder how little they have going off in there life tbh
IrishRob
May 4, 2020 at 12:40 PM
Comment #6I swear if Jail and Munster just got along 70% of the blog arguing would disappear overnight. Lol they are like an old married couple.
Bedford Mag
May 4, 2020 at 12:40 PM
Comment #7Agreed Duncan. Depresses the life out of me sometimes 🙁
toon22
May 4, 2020 at 12:42 PM
Comment #8The best idea ive read, saw it on this blog, was for the teams that have played less games to play the extra games
So every team has play the same, then cancel the rest. So no FA cup or play offs for the rest of the leagues
Its the only fair way
The clubs will have to find a way to re reimburse the fans for the season tickets holders, maybe give them free tickets to FA cup games and the like when they return
Personally i would also insist Prem teams do their pre season in this country with all games being held in 1st division or lower venues as a way to give a boost to the lower leagues
JohnReese
May 4, 2020 at 12:44 PM
Comment #9IrishRob
Emerson seems to be suffering from some Barca fans comparing him with Dani Alves early on. No doubt he’s a decent attacking wingback but you’re right, haven’t been all that impressed when I’ve seen him and I think he’d really struggle in the Prem. Perhaps we should rekindle our interest in Pol Liora I believe his name was, young Spanish right back. Always looked like he’s got something about him, although I’ve admittedly only seen him on a few occasions.
lochinvar
May 4, 2020 at 12:45 PM
Comment #10via The Mag:
A new report in The Guardian carries accusations that the Mike Ashley ran Sports Direct and House of Fraser chains have asked the store managers to work at least once a week, despite being under the government’s furlough scheme.
The newspaper stating:
‘Staff told the Guardian they had been asked to volunteer to go into stores about one day a week since the entire store team were put on furlough last month.
Two managers said they had been told not to clock on when they worked in stores while on furlough – seemingly in breach of the rules of the scheme, under which the government covers 80% of staff pay. They said they had been asked to pack up store stock so it could be returned to the group’s warehouse and sold online.’
If these accusations are proved to be true, there could be massive repercussions for Mike Ashley and his business empire. Both in terms of action taken by the government if it is shown the terms of their furlough scheme have been broken, as well as the PR impact with the general public considering where to spend their money once options open up again on the high street, with so many people appalled at how certain very rich individuals and their businesses have acted during the virus crisis.
Lindisfarne
May 4, 2020 at 12:45 PM
Comment #11I can not see that it is completely necessary for the remaining matches to be played just because of commercial contracts.
Firstly, the companies involved have had the exposure they purchased, although missing 9 matches. But it depends on whether there is a clause in the contract that specifies an amount of time, period time or number of matches.
Secondly, cutting your nose off to spite your face comes to mind. As a sponsor they contribute to the perilously inflated nature of the product and therefore as stake holders are equally liable.
I can see no issue with either extending the current commercial deals by an additional season at the same rate, as compensation. Or completely cancel the contract of any company that feels they have been ‘shorted’, but with no refund.
TomaKaThor
May 4, 2020 at 12:51 PM
Comment #12Seriously though how the frick long does it take to approve a takeover, in reality they could do all they need to do in a day, a weekend at most lol
toon22
May 4, 2020 at 12:52 PM
Comment #13Lindisfarne
The only reason to play the games will be to determine the final league position fairly, yes its easy enough calculating it but to avoid courts and lawyers the games will need to happen
It also means its done with the minimum amount of games
Maybe give the teams involved the chance to not play their game with it being void if both teams agree
lochinvar
May 4, 2020 at 12:53 PM
Comment #14Latest Sky Bet odds.
Don’t think this tells us anything we didn’t already suspect but you have to wonder where the clever money is . Around 10/1 seems to be the mark ?
Keegan as Manager is a distraction.
If you’re going to attract top European player talent then I suspect that a known European manager might be right.
Paying Poncettino stupid money is not sending the right signal to sponsors, players or fans.
Mauricio Pochettino
4/5
Rafael Benitez
3/1
Roberto Mancini
8/1
Kevin Keegan
9/1
Jorge Jesus
10/1
Massimiliano Allegri
10/1
Luciano Spalletti
12/1
Luis Enrique
14/1
Eddie Howe
18/1
Lindisfarne
May 4, 2020 at 12:55 PM
Comment #15PL could void the season and when it is completely safe to restart normally (or behind closed doors), perhaps give Lpool a 20 point advantage next season. It would prove difficult to maintain concentration so may not be the massive advantage it first seems.
toon22
May 4, 2020 at 12:57 PM
Comment #16As for the loss in commercial revenue i would guess they would have to agree that the companies involved have a free period next season of the amount of games they missed
The shorter period next year will probably work out the same as you can imagine the enormous interest thats going to happen after so long without football
toon22
May 4, 2020 at 12:58 PM
Comment #17lochinvar
I dont see Pep Guardiola on that list
😉
Pain in the Blog
May 4, 2020 at 12:58 PM
Comment #18giimps last thread,
Agreed the Arsenal match was one of the most exhilarating that I’ve seen. The only very slight downer was that it was probably the only top flight match ever to have eight goals all scored in the same goal!
I was right behind the goal. Unfortunately I was in the Leazes end.
Bills Son Is Back
May 4, 2020 at 12:59 PM
Comment #19Duncan, totally agree.
However, there is a core of posters on here who just cannot accept that anyone can have a view other than
a) Rafa is beyond any criticism
b) Prior to recently – the FGB would NEVER sell the club
c) Bruce is absolutely useless and deserves zero credit for having us 13th
d) All other takeovers prior to this one (and perhaps even this one) were PR fakeovers by the the FGB
e) If you ‘support the team not the regime’ ie., you go to matches – you are a meek and mild fool who accepts the status quo and panders adoringly to the FGB.
If you post anything that remotely challenges or disagrees with any of the above you are labelled an argumentative, bile writing, agitator of the first degree.
That’s the real cause of the spats on here.
Lindisfarne
May 4, 2020 at 1:00 PM
Comment #20Toon22
Give every PL club the same amount of money to avoid finishing place prize money.
Qualifiers for European cups should be the same as this season.
No relegation, no promotion and UEFA should deal with any compensation.
The Hit Man & Her
May 4, 2020 at 1:02 PM
Comment #21Discounting the fickle nature of “likelihood” Bills son, your list isn’t quite home and dry yet is it? Might be best to wait until a few of those things actually pan out first.
IrishRob
May 4, 2020 at 1:03 PM
Comment #22John he looks big and strong good in the tackle and decent going forward hes better than anything we have for sure. But I think theres better out there for even reasonable money under 25M.
You seemed to be watching the same video I watched.
I was very underwhelmed with the video clips they put up tbh, doesnt show him in a wonderful light if that’s all they had to choose from.
I wouldnt be complaining because we cant buy 70M players for every position but hes definitely not a patch on the better backs out there.
lochinvar
May 4, 2020 at 1:04 PM
Comment #23toon22
He’s there at longer odds
Arsene Wenger
66/1
Brendan Rodgers
66/1
Pep Guardiola
66/1
maybe if De Btune leaves and Man City are banned from the Champions League Pep might be ready for the proverbial ” time for a new challenge”
You never know
Australian Pie
May 4, 2020 at 1:04 PM
Comment #24Why will August be a better time to begin matches then June?
Is playing football more dangerous then going to sainsburys if they are doing regular tests?
Is it fair that players get tests ahead of others? No, but neither is them getting paid my yearly wage per game.
Will it bring back some happiness in peoples lives, help those with anxieties and depression that being invovled in their football club helps to reduce.
The Hit Man & Her
May 4, 2020 at 1:04 PM
Comment #25I note that BigJim has been pursuing ToF regarding his justification for Rafa ruining the club – I’d say it’s a waste of time as ToF justifying his claim is pretty redundant given his feelings toward Benitez, I would just abandon any reasoned reply, BigJim –
“The overrated Frenchman
Jul 10, 2019 at 8:41 AM
Comment #13
So the greasy Spanish turd is basically indicating that dissing Ashley is more important to him than Newcastle getting the best possible manager. Our local hero, who steeled himself to accept Ashley’s fat wedge while it suited him. I hope he rots in his Chinee hell-hole. Stinking bindipper lover he is and all”
IrishRob
May 4, 2020 at 1:04 PM
Comment #26Never heard of him John must go look him up, cheers for the suggestion.
Australian Pie
May 4, 2020 at 1:06 PM
Comment #27Will it be massively better for the UK economy?
Will it help smaller football clubs actually survive this terrible situation?
Start asking the questions from both points of view
IrishRob
May 4, 2020 at 1:08 PM
Comment #28Paying 19M for Poch to come to Newcastle is definitely not stupid money. If he was to go to Pool or United hed be on easily 15M a year. Looking at it like that we are really only paying a small premium because its Newcastle not one of the bigger clubs.
The top managers in the premier league are all on 14-15M up to 20M Poch is definitely a top manager.
MagpieRanger
May 4, 2020 at 1:13 PM
Comment #29No news… Again
Australian Pie
May 4, 2020 at 1:13 PM
Comment #307weeks ago there was 600-800 new cases a day, stadiums packed with fans, no awareness, no protection. The predictions are we will be around a similar level of new cases per day, with empty stadiums and strict protocols.
It will be considerably safer than the last couple of games played before the season was stopped
toon22
May 4, 2020 at 1:15 PM
Comment #31Might as well dream big if your going to dream at all lol
Reality says it will probably be poch
RobLeenio
May 4, 2020 at 1:17 PM
Comment #32Australian Pie, I don’t think the football authorities are asking any of these questions, sadly, though they should be. It’s all about the sponsors and TV Companies and them getting their full value.
The English game isn’t alone, though. It seemed that the German League was being rushed back too soon and, sure enough, three FC Koln players ended up testing positive for coronavirus last week. I would be very surprised if they were alone, either within their team or elsewhere.
The Bundesliga’s response? Crack on regardless. If I was due to be playing against FC Koln in the next week or two I’d flat out refuse. How can they expect the players to put themselves and their families at such obvious risk?
🙁
Mister Tuff
May 4, 2020 at 1:18 PM
Comment #33Cannot see the season starting up again. Has to be voided.
toon22
May 4, 2020 at 1:18 PM
Comment #34Its gone quiet as there nowt more to say
From what ive read its either happening this month or not at all
But we wont hear anything of any worth other than we are sold from here on in
The media cant drag over it any further and as per usual nobody is making any kind of statement
toon22
May 4, 2020 at 1:21 PM
Comment #35Im sure the buyers are real
But sadly the sellers the same too
He has got himself in the cack again, maybe the worst ever with the staff being asked to work while furloughed but not clock in
Wouldnt take much from this point to see him in court for fraud
Bambams
May 4, 2020 at 1:24 PM
Comment #36The Prince’s Mate
Sorry fella I didnt get the chance to reply (from about 5 threads back), we have to stay positive because for me too much time has gone by now, if the PL tests were a problem I think it would of surfaced by now.
Something would of been leaked.
It’s just a matter of waiting, a bit longer
Cheers fella
Australian Pie
May 4, 2020 at 1:25 PM
Comment #37Rob I saw that as well. I think the issue is they have all jsut come back from being at home and around others. If they stick the squad together, bring in meals, just use the large facilities with no public access it is safer than being in the public.
We are all going to be going back to work in some capacity in the next few months if you can’t 100% work from home, as a Physio I cannot. I’ve got no issues with that, can’t live in fear for the next 12+ months.
Minimize risk, ensure there is all help possible available and crack on. Just as why should players get special treatment with protection why should they be over protected until a vaccine is released? These are a low risk population group generating huge amounts for the economy with the top support and protection available
Toonarmy of Frogs
May 4, 2020 at 1:31 PM
Comment #38If they go ahead with domestic matches at some point (scraping it doesn’t seem to be an option). Will all cups (including European ones) be cancelled to provide time for a fixture catchup? Logistically and safely its hard to start domestic football. Pan European would be even harder. (random musings)
hibbit
May 4, 2020 at 1:32 PM
Comment #39James Olley
Senior Writer, ESPN FC
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Newcastle United will have to pay Tottenham £12.5 million if they want to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as manager this month — but can do so for nothing thereafter, sources have told ESPN.
PCP Capital Partners, a financial advisory firm backed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, are closing in on a £300m takeover subject to the Premier League ratifying their agreement
Sources told ESPN last month that the prospective new owners are keen to replace boss Steve Bruce with a high-profile manager and Pochettino is a leading candidate with some reports suggesting they could make him one of the best-paid managers in the world on £19m-a-year.
Pochettino was sacked by Spurs in November after five years at the helm and paid him £12.5m in compensation. However, as part of the terms of his departure, any club wishing to employ Pochettino within six months would have to repay Spurs that same amount.
One source with an intimate understanding of the agreement confirmed that the clause expires later this month, meaning Newcastle would be free to appoint Pochettino in time for the proposed resumption of Premier League games in mid-June.
The delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the Premier League deciding whether to allow the takeover to take place is therefore of potential financial benefit to the Saudi group in the context of appointing Pochettino, although he would inevitably want time to work with his new players before games restarted.
The Argentine has not yet indicated whether he would be willing to take the Newcastle job but is keen to work again and despite continuing to hold Tottenham in high regard, the 48-year-old would have no qualms about managing another Premier League side.
Ron Knee
May 4, 2020 at 1:32 PM
Comment #40The players are afraid of infecting their families.