Everton have opted against extending Josh King’s stay at Goodison Park. The forward joined on a short-term deal from Bournemouth on winter deadline day but managed only 11 substitute appearances for just 137 minutes of football.
The 29-year-old had been a long-term target of Newcastle extending back to the Rafa Benitez days. He was briefly linked last summer before Steve Bruce brought in his then Bournemouth teammate Callum Wilson, who had quite the impact and was named our Player of the Season.
Newcastle could theoretically be interested in King once again this summer. He’ll now become a free agent as of July 1st. With Newcastle unlikely to afford a permanent deal for a Premier League quality striker, a move for the Norwegian makes some sense.
While wage demands could prove a stumbling block, King’s situation becomes a very intriguing one. His poor spell as a Toffee could cool some of the interest of clubs who targeted him in January. He also is coming off a couple of subpar seasons with Bournemouth, including the first half of last season in the Championship.
Newcastle also may hold a bit of a wild card with our ex-Bournemouth contingent in Wilson, Matt Ritchie, and Ryan Fraser. While he is approaching that transitional age of 30, he’s only a month older than Callum Wilson, who has more than a few good years left in the tank.
King will likely play the field for the best offer and should have plenty of them after a season primarily played behind closed doors. He could be exactly what Newcastle are looking for with such a limited budget this summer.
205 comments so far
magicmac54
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:02 AM
Comment #121Jail for Ashley
I totally agree with you there Jail and was actually thinking the very same mate. Nite Nite Jail and take care mate.
Swlabr
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:03 AM
Comment #122Ooops https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZS8d8em-rA
NY Mag
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:03 AM
Comment #123Goodnight magic,
Take care mate….happy Friday and enjoy the rest of your weekend
Swlabr
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:06 AM
Comment #124G’night mac.
Uncertain Toon/World
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:06 AM
Comment #125NY,
I concur, was just wondering as you’ve been over there a while. You’ve always had access to PL footie though as I remember watching the toon in NYC in 2007 at stupid morning o’clock!
This IPTV thing I’m using in Saudi is the best thing I’ve invested in for a long time and they’re all only 50 quid ish/year. And I get to see Rachel Riley on countdown 😉
lesh
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:07 AM
Comment #126Swlabr
Can’t say I have heard of Gordon Smith the Shields blues man and I can’t think why not. But if he was doing his stuff during the late 70s and mid eighties, that was a time when life was playing games and I’d lost my way musically. I don’t know if that makes any sense.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:08 AM
Comment #127Been looking at holiday options, got a serious question.
Is Mars on the red list?
Swlabr
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:14 AM
Comment #128Lesh..he actually went down to London in the late 60’s and caused quite a stir in the blues clubs. His first album “Long Overdue” on Blue Horizon had Peter Green and A.N. Other I can’t remember. There’s quite a few GS tracks on YouToob from various times in his life. Worth looking up. Anyway I’m off to pile up a few zeds. Talk again later. Nytol .
lesh
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:16 AM
Comment #129Swlabr
@122
Impressive is Mr Smith.
Why should he remind me of Tony McPhee, another of John Peel’s favourites.
https://youtu.be/zbXYDtNyMkM
All good stuff
lesh
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:21 AM
Comment #130For all our friends Stateside, the Geordie links are long established…
https://youtu.be/SpG2hJte338
Jail for Ashley
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:24 AM
Comment #131Cheers Magicmac54.
NY Mag,
I forgot about Choudry, so King, Ajer, Choudry and Willock, I don’t think we could expect better than that.
NY Mag
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:24 AM
Comment #132Uncertain,
A few years ago, fox sports had the PL rights.
They would show one game at prime time and maybe another game on a sister channel.
I wasn’t complaining about that.
But, when NBC got the rights, things changed big style.
Every game is on now….I love it – long may it continue
Uncertain Toon/World
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:25 AM
Comment #133Was pondering what Loch was saying earlier about full ground next season.
So 75% adults have had 1st Jab
50% adults have had both.
The confidence is there in the vaccine for efficacy against the 3 variants, UK, RSA and Indian.
Looking at the jab numbers herd immunity should be reached by August with shortening the interval between jabs, save for any new variants that get passed the jab, but that seems unrealistic as they’re all covid based. Just my opinion.
Mund
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:25 AM
Comment #134Leah
What you sorry for?
My confidence has never been off a sun article, I’m just putting up what’s out and there and each to there own and all that on how to take anything put up on the blog.
I believe in the process and the legal team and I believe justice will be served
NY Mag
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:27 AM
Comment #135Jail,
I’d be quite happy with that
NY Mag
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:30 AM
Comment #136Mund,
You’re dead right….justice will be served 🙂
NY Mag
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:31 AM
Comment #137Don’t know what side it’s on though 🙂
Uncertain Toon/World
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:34 AM
Comment #138NY,
And CBS have the UEFA comps I think I read, plenty UK and European footie over there, happy days
Nicky the ball tosser
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:36 AM
Comment #139Lol! Choudry, King, Ajer and Willock, and pigs fed, watered, rested and ready to fly.
Not at Mike Ashley’s Newcastle. 🙁
NY Mag
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:38 AM
Comment #140Uncertain,
It’s on ESPN……..if it’s not
It’s on ESPN+
Either way, I’m watching it 🙂
Bring it on……I love a big competition
NY Mag
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:40 AM
Comment #141Nicky,
Never mock, until you’re sure….
You might be right….but it’s way too early to be givin it rock all
lesh
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:42 AM
Comment #142Uncertain Toon/World
@133
I may be wrong but as far as I know, being vaccinated doesn’t immunise against infection. It’s supposed to ameliorate the impact of the Covid virus so, one doesn’t become as ill.
If 52k are fit enough (or if Ashley’s still around, daft enough) to attend SJP regularly, then it’s job done.
Ah, but it’s not if Ashley’s still around in which case we’re unlikely to see a full house at SJP.
Uncertain Toon/World
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:43 AM
Comment #143Choudhury ain’t coming anywhere near the toon till he sorts that barnet out, Yedlin tried that caper sporadically and look what happened to him, despatched to Turkey.
Serious business the haircuts on Tyneside, just ask big Joe!
And Shelvey just doesn’t get involved with it at all 😀
Nicky the ball tosser
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:45 AM
Comment #144Have you being paying attention for the last 14 years NY?
Ashley never does what’s fully required.
Skepticism gave way to cynicism a decade ago, and quite reasonably.
I”ll boil my own head and eat it, if we get those 4, promise. 🙂
NY Mag
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:52 AM
Comment #145Fair enough Nicky (that did make me laugh)
I think it’s doable and almost probable
Scythe For Bruce
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:58 AM
Comment #146Uncertain Toon/World
I know you didn’t direct your telly question at me but I’m wading in anyway 🙂
The premier league stuff over here has been much, much better since it switched to NBC. Plus they’ve got an online channel called Peacock now and anything that isn’t shown on NBCS or NBC is on Peacock. I watched almost every game last season, and I don’t just mean Newcastle, I mean EVERY game. It was glorious.
And yes, CBS (and their associated channels) have the Euro stuff now. They showed the Champions League final on regular CBS last weekend and the coverage was great. I think they’ve finally realised that people (especially ex-pats) absolutely do NOT want to listen to Americans talking about the game, so they’ve shipped over plenty of ex English players as pundits and got full English commentary.
I used to hate listening to American commentary with rubbish like ‘he shoots a goal!’ or ‘he wins a P.K.!’ or ‘Noocastle have an awesome offense this season’, amongst many other awful nonsense.
Uncertain Toon/World
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:58 AM
Comment #147Lesh,
Aye you’re right mate, there’s a good chance you can still contract covid definitely.
But if I get infected, will I infect you? The virus needs to mutate because it’s currently losing in the countries that are doing well on the jab front.
With near herd immunity it’s chances of propagation and mutation are hugely reduced and it will virtually die or maybe altogether die out. But that depends on the rest of the world.
We’re going to have to help the rest of the world mate otherwise this could drag on a while.
And they need to start using Ivermectin as well.
Nicky the ball tosser
Jun 5, 2021 at 12:59 AM
Comment #148In all seriousness though, it can’t be probable surely, because to get those 4, Ashley would almost certainly have to dip into his own pocket or allow an overdraft, and why would anyone think that likely.
Added to that, it’s basically an ideal window, under this owner, and would give us a balanced squad of decent depth and quality, which just never happens.
NY Mag
Jun 5, 2021 at 1:07 AM
Comment #149Nicky,
That isn’t true, it would simply require a relaxation of business rules.
Buy now, pay later
Could he do that – of course
Would that be prudent – possibly….
Certainly wouldn’t be within bounds of a company undergoing a change of ownership 🙂
Nicky the ball tosser
Jun 5, 2021 at 1:14 AM
Comment #150Ok then, let me rephrase that. Ashley would almost certainly have to dip into his own pocket, allow an overdraft, or sanction a relaxation of business rules – buy now, pay later, and why would anyone think that likely?
🙂
Uncertain Toon/World
Jun 5, 2021 at 1:16 AM
Comment #151Scythe,
I was in my hotel room in Toronto, put the telly on for the Toon match, TSN I think it was and I’m looking at big daft Danny Dichio staring down the camera, laughed me head off. He was decent in his Canadian twang accent.
Looked into him and he finished his career there and stayed, why not I thought.
Watched a few NBCSN games on me IPTV for games and not really impressed with the 2 Robbies. Seen big Shaka Hislop as well I think, he could have been saying anything I still thought he was the best analyst. Can’t beat a bit of blatant bias 🙂
Nicky the ball tosser
Jun 5, 2021 at 1:17 AM
Comment #152“Change of ownership.”
Ashley and Stavely working together in this window.
I dunno, seems a stretch. But anyway, could happen I guess.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 5, 2021 at 1:18 AM
Comment #153Aah well if no one wants a serious conversation about holidays, I’ll be off to bed, G’dnight all.
Uncertain Toon/World
Jun 5, 2021 at 1:31 AM
Comment #154Essex,
I was going to heart your Shelvey POS post earlier because I see his input, but didn’t bother as I noticed you’d already done it 😉
Or was it Carltoon popping in? 😀
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 5, 2021 at 1:34 AM
Comment #155Uncertain
I don’t heart my own comments, ever!
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 5, 2021 at 1:36 AM
Comment #156Anyway I really am off now, G’night all.
Scythe For Bruce
Jun 5, 2021 at 1:58 AM
Comment #157UT/W – can’t stand the two Robbies. Done absolutely nowt in their careers yet they sit there and slag off top players.
They’ve added Tim Howard and Danny Higginbotham now so I’m hoping they’ll replace Earle and Mustoe.
Scythe For Bruce
Jun 5, 2021 at 2:01 AM
Comment #158Here’s a song I’m dedicating to Mike Ashley. I’m not expecting a takeover and I’m sure as hell not expecting anything spectacular (or even mediocre) in this transfer window.
Ashley OOT!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YcXMhwF4EtQ
Ron Knee
Jun 5, 2021 at 7:32 AM
Comment #159Swlabr
I saw Gordon Smith play in London in 68 and he was pretty good, but the previous year I’d been lucky enough to see Skip James and Son House. No comparison!
Swlabr
Jun 5, 2021 at 8:07 AM
Comment #160Morning Ron, yes l agree completely. We’ve chatted at length about the great blues tours of the 60s. No one can come close to those legendary figures.
I have to admit to some covert bias where Gordon”s concerned though ‘cos he was a pal.
🙂