Recently, it was revealed that our prospective new owners have held a couple of transfer meetings over the past week. The first was to identify potential targets while the second was to discuss which members of the current squad were worth moving forward with.
These meetings run parallel with the current regime adopting a ‘business as usual’ approach while the takeover saga drags on and on. Yesterday, Liam Kennedy, with the Shields Gazette, reported that Newcastle were planning an audacious move for Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic.
In his report, Kennedy indicated that the current scouting network had been instructed to identify players for Steve Bruce as if the takeover was not happening. We suppose that it is in the best interest of the club to guard against being left behind should the acquisition by the Saudis get blocked.
Newcastle have been in this ‘business as usual’ mode for the past few weeks as they’ve agreed to an extension with sponsors FUN88, resigned Andy Carroll and Javier Manquillo, and brought in free agent goalkeeper Mark Gillespie.
With the transfer window opening on Monday, Newcastle have a couple of irons in the fire as far as incoming are concerned. Steve Bruce confirmed this during his press conference for Sunday’s Liverpool match.
Here is what Bruce said as written in the Chronicle:
“When I say business as usual, we’ve got one or two things in the fire right now. Let’s hope we can pull them off. We’ve got competition.
“My job is to keep knocking on the door and asking the question. I really want us to improve and get better.
“We need to improve the squad but also ensure we get value for money.”
It seems like there could be some early breakthroughs in the transfer market if Bruce can get some of these targets ‘over the line.’ Though he does emphasize that there’s competition for them.
We hope one of them is Luka Jovic, who would be a tremendous addition despite his recent struggles at Real Madrid. While he’d just be on loan, Jovic is the type of player who could transcend an ownership change.
Free-agent Arnaud Lusamba is one Newcastle have been reportedly negotiating with. A former teammate of Allan Saint-Maximin at Nice, Lusamba has bags of talent but just hasn’t been able to put it all together just yet.
While an underperforming free agent seems like an Ashley signing, Lusamba could be an astute addition if the club can get the best out of him.
There have been loads of players linked to Newcastle in recent months, so who exactly Bruce is referring to is almost impossible to gauge.
However, the best-case scenario remains that the takeover is announced soon, maybe when the window opens on Monday, and our prospective new owners can get to the business or rebuilding Newcastle United.
27 comments so far
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:15 AM
Comment #1“Lusamba has bags of talent but just hasn’t been able to put it all together just yet.”
Dont worry, the 3 Steve’s will be the ones to offer that cutting edge insight into unlocking his potential.
My guess it will be getting him upwards of 4 or 5 laps of the pitch per day before training combined with really ramping up his game time when his body is tired and in the dangerzone in terms of fatigue and risk to muscle injuries.
Kevin Vegan
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:15 AM
Comment #2“Let’s hope we can pull them off”
Is that supposed to help convince people to sign? Other clubs pay signing on fees, for us it’s a cheeky tug behind the wheelie bin ice baths from cabbage head.
The Hit Man & Her
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:16 AM
Comment #3Mund – I’m not letting this go no matter your abusive replies and lack of justification.
” bringing kids into it” – I will thank you to stop implying I have used questionable references to children as of now or for the first time ever I will take this up with the Blog moderators.
You know very well Munster always feared his son would be a Liverpool supporter. My harmless leg pulls are just that. Jokes about washing his sons Liverpool shirts are not “bringing kids into it”
I have not insulted, abused or made any questionable references to anyone’s children. Your behaviour is scurrilous, mischievous and calculated to fool those who scan and don’t read the blog to find you are vastly overstating the case.
Quit while you’re behind. Liars like you need to rein it in.
The Hit Man & Her
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:17 AM
Comment #4Mund – For someone whose foul language and offensively deprecating retorts to posters with opposing views you are a massive hypocrite to be talking about inappropriate posts.
Kevin Vegan
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:18 AM
Comment #5“We need to improve the squad but also ensure we get value for money.”
Did I hear somebody say bargain bin?
The Hit Man & Her
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:20 AM
Comment #6If it’s not being threatened to be attacked physically by the blogs resident keyboard hard men it is a new low to propagate highly embellished and sinister rumours as well.
Anglo Saxon
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:22 AM
Comment #7Vegy have you not got any shopping to do FFS.
Mund
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:26 AM
Comment #8Skunki
Say what you like if it was me and you brought my kids into it in any context I’d still hunt you down.
Do you have children? If you do shame on you I’d you don’t then you don’t understand.
Any father on here now tell me you wouldn’t do the same and have any footer who used your kid in an argument?
captainmarvel
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:28 AM
Comment #9I think he needs composting…
Muz
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:29 AM
Comment #10Re the fencing off. I can’t say why but I do know that Police are asking for people to pull extra shifts on Sunday. Anticipating something. What though?
Mag52
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:29 AM
Comment #11Vegan @ 5
No. You heard a manager saying what any sensible manager would say about how to purchase new players.
Anglo Saxon
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:29 AM
Comment #12good idea.
DaveD1000
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:32 AM
Comment #13Muz I would think to stop the bindippers going on a rampage…they aren’t used to strong drink
Tackle from behind
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:33 AM
Comment #14Didn’t one of the local journos explain the fences yesterday?
He said they had been in place since restart to guide various people through a safe/hygienic entry process.
Also the police may be expecting some gathering as it is last game of the season and some might want to have an end of season party?
Or they are about to announce takeover and that may lead to a stampede.
The Hit Man & Her
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:34 AM
Comment #15You’d “hunt me down” for pulling your leg about your kid having a rival teams shirt? Are you for real? Your anger and intolerance on this blog is really dragging it down. Your stupidity in this case is taking it to new depths. You really should have the sense to retreat from this before it overtakes you. And again, as I’ve said before, if you’ve never met me, how do you think it would go? You’re making poor assumptions son.
woodey
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:34 AM
Comment #16Mund & Tsuki i don’t think myself or any other reader likes where this discussion is going and suggest that you both refrain from carrying it on from this point.
Please put it to bed and don’t bring the subject back up. neither of you are right at any point, first in bring up things or carrying on using it to score points.
Reilly
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:36 AM
Comment #17Mund.You have made this into somthing its not.When munster first told the blog he took alot of ribbing,but thats all it was there was nothing sinister about it,it was just abit of a pisstake.
Muz
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:39 AM
Comment #18Have their been influxes of fans from teams still going to away grounds/venues/cities since the restart? If we were letting fans attend I could see them anticipating Liverpool fans being a bit raucous.
I haven’t actually been into town in Months. Can’t remember the last time even.
The Hit Man & Her
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:39 AM
Comment #19Woodley – I’m right on this one.
Yes I do have kids..
No I wouldn’t threaten to hunt someone down if they asked if i was washing their Liverpool shirt, nor would I continually announce to the blog that I said something sinister or inappropriate to gather allies.
It’s that simple.
Hail Wor Staveley
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:43 AM
Comment #20Ashley – OUT
Mandy – IN
Bruce – OUT
Poch – IN
Players OUT:
Schar
Lejeune
Yedlin
Atsu
Aarons
J. Murphy
Muto
Raising about £40-50m
Players IN:
M. Aarons – £15m
Boly – £25m (one year left on contract)
Willems – £5m
Tagliafico – £20m
Rodrigo De Paul – £30m
Fraser – free
Watkins – £25m
Cavani – free
C. Wilson £20m
Net send of approximately only £100m.
___________________Dubravka_____________________
M. Aarons______Lascelles_____Boly________Tagliafico
______________Hayden______Shelvey
ASM________________De Paul_____________Almiron
____________________Cavani
YEAH BABY!
woodey
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:43 AM
Comment #21Tsuki i am trying to be diplomatic or you two will keep going at it making things worse, just please both of you stop.
Hail Wor Staveley
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:44 AM
Comment #22LET A MAN DREAM!
Jib
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:46 AM
Comment #23God knows I’ve taken some shit off of Tsunki in my time
but
Mund you’re being a bit OTT and daft now
take a chill pill ffs
Mund
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:46 AM
Comment #24I know it’s not serious and it was a piss take but like I said using someone kid as a weapon in whatever context that may be is a low blow.
That’s all I’m saying. To me it’s shocking but
each to there own
The Hit Man & Her
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:46 AM
Comment #25He needs to retract and retreat. It’s not good enough. I appreciate what you’re saying Woodey but enough is enough. This hard man say-anything-with-impunity and menacing response lark needs to stop.
Mund
Jul 24, 2020 at 11:47 AM
Comment #26Then I suggest you take your own advice then
ArtyH
Jul 24, 2020 at 12:23 PM
Comment #27This blog is turning out to be a site for personal exchanges and nothing to do with the club, its boring and petty. Take your petty squabbling’s to Facebook or Twitter FFS and grow up!!!