With the coronavirus pandemic devastating economies around the world, it was thought that the days of inflated transfer fees may be coming to an end, or at least reined in a bit.
However, if we look at three of Newcastle’s recent reported striker targets, it portends that our pursuit of goals this summer could be very frustrating.
In early June, Newcastle were reported to be ‘in negotiations’ for Gent attacker Jonathan David. However, there were no follow up reports linking the 20-year-old with a move to Tyneside.
Now, it appears that the prolific Canadian international will soon join Lille for a hefty sum of €32m, which includes bonuses. He has a medical scheduled for tomorrow.
That’s a disappointing development for Newcastle fans, not only because he’s an exciting youngster but it means the market for players, or at least strikers, remains extremely high.
David will replace Victor Osimhen, who has joined Napoli for a club-record fee of €70m plus possible bonuses of €10m.
Welcome to #Napoli, Victor!
? https://t.co/OoODAND8tP#WelcomeOsimhen
? #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/ncwBTz0CcN— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) July 31, 2020
Osimhen was a reported target of Newcastle late last year before his performances put his valuation into the realm of the ridiculous. The coronavirus pandemic did not diminished that in the slightest.
The capture of Jonathan David by Lille may mean that they will no longer pursue Newcastle’s long-term striker target Alfredo Morelos. The Colombian has been touted with a move away from the Ibrox and Lille president, Gerard Lopez, had recently confirmed their interest in the 24-year-old.
According to Sport Witness, Lille launched a €15m bid for Morelos but Rangers rejected it. It seems that Rangers are standing firm in only letting their prized striker leave for a significant fee.
After seeing what Victor Osimhen went for and what Jonathan David is slated to be leaving for, we can’t blame them one bit.
It seems, at least as strikers are concerned, it’s going to be very difficult to get a quality one in on Newcastle’s budget this summer.
Note – here’s a petition to sign to get an independent review of the EPL Takeover process – please sign it – thanks.
82 comments so far
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:26 PM
Comment #1In case anyone is looking for anew angle to join with:
Mike Ashley
@MoneyMikeAshley
UPDATED @Trustpilotscores:
Budweiser was 3.1, now 1.4
Barclays was 1.4, still 1.4
TAG was 3.4, now 1.4
Coca Cola was 3.0, now 2.2
Amazing effort, and free to contribute to the cause if you haven’t already.
Northumbrian
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:26 PM
Comment #2Not bothered who we sign as long as they can hit the target.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:26 PM
Comment #3More flat toes must step back quicker as the bus departs.
Northumbrian
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:29 PM
Comment #4EGB there electric these days an hard to hear.
😉
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:30 PM
Comment #5Gothmog – I don’t get it. People are spamming those brands on Trustpilot? Erm…why?
phy
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:31 PM
Comment #6Missed the bus lol.
Agree with it or not. The petition is a way that many of “the voiceless” feel that they can be heard. It is for this reason that it should not be denigrated. We as fans have been marginalised and pushed aside often enough. It may not be perfect but it is what we have. Equally those who don’t wish to sign shouldn’t be co-erced or harangued. We live in a democracy and this needs to be accepted, other wise we risk being the same as those imposing their will on those that we are currently at loggerheads with.
Markaccus
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:31 PM
Comment #7Apparently NUFC have “won the race” to sign Jeff Hendrick on a free. Who were we “racing” against? Barcelona?
Markaccus
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:33 PM
Comment #8Barclays have been known as dodgy since the big banking crisis years ago. They have a special rating from Lackoftrustpilot
Kevin Vegan
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:33 PM
Comment #9BSIB, from previous,
Perhaps I should have said “failed to keep Rafa at the club” rather than sacked, as you’re quite right that he left of his own accord.
My point was more about Bruce than Rafa though to be honest.
What I was trying to say is that despite finishing in a similar position to the previous season, our form and our performances compared to the previous 6 months was extremely poor.
Northumbrian
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:34 PM
Comment #10PHY, hear hear.
😀
Markaccus
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:34 PM
Comment #11Barca must be gutted missing out on a freebie from Burnley.
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:36 PM
Comment #12phy – I entirely agree. I already made it clear that I hope the petition has some impact in getting answers from the PL, I just have a few issues with the petition so can’t sign it personally.
I think, regardless of any petition, that there would be pressure on the PL to go public with their reasons for taking so long anyway. They will just be going through the legalities to do so. It’s even possible that the buyers don’t want the reasons fully disclosed…
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:36 PM
Comment #13Markaccus
Possibly not but I’m sure that they’ll rue the day they didn’t enter the race for him! 🙂
hibbit
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:37 PM
Comment #14ToonDarnSarf
nobody gives 2 hoots if you get it or no, why should we,
Markaccus
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:38 PM
Comment #15EGB
Yes. How thier star has fallen. Well, they can always buy our cast offs. We can offload Max to them to cover wor Jeff’s wages. Deffo an upgrade
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:40 PM
Comment #16hibbit – you really are an angry little man. Why don’t you put down your keyboard and go outside to visit the real world.
Mund
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:43 PM
Comment #17Ffs why do we need it explaining why others don’t agree with the petition.
Its like Groundhog Day, rinse and repeat.
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:43 PM
Comment #18TDS
May I ask, have you actually done anything tangible this past week or so to help?
Bills Son Is Back
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:43 PM
Comment #19bullshibbit…
They aren’t accusations…
You yourself have lamblasted posters for revealing exactly what I’ve pointed out.
Your hypocrisy is mind boggling.
hibbit
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:45 PM
Comment #20ToonDarnSarf’
i’m 6’2″ but you got the angry part right
Optimistic prime
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:45 PM
Comment #21I bet its not
Optimistic prime
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:46 PM
Comment #22midget
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:47 PM
Comment #23Gothmog – So just because I’m not signing a petition (because I believe it to be flawed), I’m the enemy and anyone who signs it is a saint? That’s dumb.
And it was a serious question about those 4 companies. I’m guessing that you’re spamming them with negative reviews because…do they all sponsor the Premier League? Well, if so, that’s just pathetic and I want no part of it.
What do you want? The takeover? There’s nothing you or I can do to make that happen at this stage. Answers of why it wasn’t approved? I’m convinced that we’ll get all the answers that are possible to get in time. I know it takes a while for legalities to be worked out.
Northumbrian
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:47 PM
Comment #243′ 1″ of angriness lol.
😉
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:48 PM
Comment #25I’m 6’5″. You’re an angry little man/keyboard warrior.
Optimistic prime
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:48 PM
Comment #26Just to change the subject I’ve put myself on a diet.
Lost a bit of weight over the past couple months so I’m on 6000 calories a day, put 4llb on in just under a week.
Cant see why all these women complain about diets, its easy
Optimistic prime
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:48 PM
Comment #27how big ya dad?
hibbit
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:51 PM
Comment #28Bullshitbill if you read what i said why the hell did a self proclaim superfan feel the need to repeat the allegations………other then malice
WLtoon
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:53 PM
Comment #29Good afternoon lads n lasses. Very little sleep again so work should interesting tonight, not.
Hav`nt read much on the blog for obvious reasons, time being one of them, but the FO getting involved with the failed takeover could be interesting.
The 105k signatures is an amazing effort but its just a show of solidarity, but the Financial Ombudsman has a bit clout and could force the PL to make a statement.
It will be interesting to see what is in that statement, that is if they do make one.
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:54 PM
Comment #30TDS
So to summarise, you have done nothing. The very least you could have done is write your own petition to the standards you are happy with and send that around to get signatures – at least that would have been something to show support to the club and the fans.
but its ok, just doing nothing and criticising the ones who do try to make change is good too if that is what you are comfortable with.
If you dont want people to criticise you for doing absolutely nothing to help, then you probably shouldnt criticise or mock the people who do get off their arse to show solidarity and not let the PL walk all over us. Works both ways.
hibbit
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:54 PM
Comment #31TDS the bigger they are the harder they fall,
most of the 6’5″ will be made up of your mouth no doubt,
chancel be a fine thing
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:56 PM
Comment #32Posted this last night when it was very quiet so repost:
This post may get a bit long, so I will summarise, then go into more detail.
I am suggesting a collection of statistical data, some of which would be subjective, on refereeing decisions and VARs implementation to find if there is a statistical bias for or against the various clubs.
Firstly, the least subjective statistics:
Each match would be analysed twice, as it were, from each of the teams perspectives:
– the ref makes a decision
– is that decision for or against the team
– for the decisions against does VAR get invloved.
– for the decisions for does VAR get involved
– when Var gets involved is it’s decision for or against
The next subjective layer would be judging if the referees decision was correct and if VARs decision was correct.
I am more of an ideas person than an organiser (lazy), but I was thinking people could take responsibility for one or half or quarter of a match and other people could bring the data together.
With enough volunteers it would be very little individual time and effort. Obviously the more times each match is analysed, using averages, a possibly more accurate figures could be found.
I was thinking NUST could perhaps take this up using volunteers from it’s ranks and encourage other PL club’s supporter groups to perform the same collection of stats.
IMO it would make for very interesting reading and also show fans biases.
Other ways of stat collection may be better and I am just throwing this out there for any folk to roll with if the desire takes them.
Secondly, on the surface, offsides seem objective, but the decision between offside or not can be decided by one frame. Now which frame is chosen for when the ball is kicked?
We do not have access to the kind of tech for a re-analysis, but we could collect data on how many very close offsides go for or against each club.
All this would make very intersting reading in my view and offer some kind of ‘evidence’ to backup or disprove claims of bias.
Northumbrian
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:56 PM
Comment #33Wigan have accepted a 2m bid from sheff utd for the young right winger we were after.
IrishRob
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:59 PM
Comment #343:34pm Jib have u any proof of that because I cant find a single thing online to even suggest hes in the country let alone at downing st.
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:59 PM
Comment #35Anyway, on that not im off out for tea.
Take care everyone.
Nufc 4ever
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:59 PM
Comment #36TDS
We are sick to death of your reasons to not signing
You want answers but prepared to do nothing about it.
Sounds more like a guilty conscience well done 105.000 if the 3 signed it would still be 105.000 FANS
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:59 PM
Comment #37*note.
Damn.
Bills Son Is Back
Aug 10, 2020 at 4:59 PM
Comment #38TDS
John Anderson said on Newcastle radio last week that the EPL – if they say anything – will just say that the process was ongoing but PIF pulled out and explained their reasons in a public statement.
And that will be it…
They won’t give any further info on a highly confidential process which, if they did, would either a} raise more questions than answers, b} leave them open to legal action for breaking an NDA or c) drop themselves right in the brown stuff.
I hope as much as the next fan that the pressure from the Football Ombudsman, MP’s, BJ, petitions etc., force the PL into saying more but their lawyers will defo advise them not to.
Unless real proof of collusion/fraud/etc., between Qatar, the top 6 etc.,and the PL to prevent the takeover can be shown then IMO the PL’s lawyers will block any attempt to get the PL to voluntarily disclose anything that they aren’t obligated to.
There is alot of vote motivated PR going on from MP’s and BJ but exactly how hard, and for how long, they will push at the PL remains to be seen.
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 10, 2020 at 5:00 PM
Comment #39Gothmog – actually, creating my own petition would just be self serving and ultimately defeating the point. If it didn’t get more signatures than the current petition, then it would potentially divert some signatures from that one and that’s not good for anyone.
I haven’t criticised anyone for signing the petition, so get your facts right.
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 10, 2020 at 5:01 PM
Comment #40Nufc 4ever – STFU. I’m not going on about my reasons! I came here to post normally, posted something saying that we all want answers and then the keyboard warriors start with their insults.