Mike Ashley has apparently approved Steve Bruce’s plan to get some signings through the door early this summer. With the window officially opening on Wednesday, June 9th, hopefully, Newcastle have been making progress on some of their targets.
There have been quite a few of them with a plethora of center-halves and midfielders linked over the past few weeks. There have also been reports that Bruce has been sounding out a few potential targets like Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury.
Josh King has jumped to the top of Bruce’s wishlist with the recent revelation that he’ll become a free agent next month. The 29-year-old has been linked with Newcastle for years and was considered a top target last summer before Bruce went all-in on Bournemouth teammate Callum Wilson.
Everton have opted against a new deal for the pacy forward which makes him a tantalizing proposition for the Magpies this summer. Newcastle will reportedly meet with King within the next few weeks.
Bruce is not expected to be backed with much of a transfer budget, so free agents and loan signings will be high on the agenda. So we could see one big permanent deal like Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer mixed with a couple of free agents and loanees. However, it’s vital that they improve the squad and are not brought in to make up the numbers.
One free agent that would likely jump at the chance to sign for Newcastle is former Magpie Jetro Willems. The 27-year-old has given an interview with The Chronicle where he stated the following about a return to Tyneside:
“I had a great time at Newcastle and for me, I want something else. I had a good time in Germany and won some titles and some nice things but I wanted something else.
“Of course Newcastle is a very nice option for me. I was there for a long time – like, half a year – and I was enjoying the moment there. It’s a great option and it’s a club which knows me, I know them. It would be great to join them.
“To be honest I don’t know where everything stands right now. I told my agent – I’m at CAA Base now, a UK agency – I want to go on vacation first and then when I come back I’ll speak about clubs, the clubs he has interested and what is going on.
“I was building up strength in my knee and just recovery and everything – training for half a year so I think it’s now two years since I had a vacation. We both agreed to have a little holiday and re-assess when I come back.”
There have been recent reports that Newcastle are not after another left-back in this window. With Matt Ritchie and Jamal Lewis as left wing-back options, it makes sense to concentrate on other areas of need.
There’s also the issue with Willems not having played for the past 18 months. He’s been fit since December but after turning down an extension with Frankfurt in January, he was not utilized during the second half of last season.
This is what Jetro had to say about his fitness and his frustration with not playing last season:
“It hasn’t been easy all this time but I’ve been ready to play since December.
“I was in the squad (at Eintracht Frankfurt) for half a year – obviously I didn’t get the chance to show myself and to play for some reasons and everyone knows what they are.
“But I’m feeling good, my knee is really good and everything feels great. I’m ready.”
While Newcastle may be comfortable bringing him in based on his previous time with the club, a potential issue arises with the post-Brexit transfer rules on foreign players. Willems may not be granted a work permit due to his lack of appearances.
It could be a long summer for the Dutchman as he hunts for a new club. If Ritchie ends up leaving as he almost did in January, it would be worth trying to get Jetro back to Newcastle.
166 comments so far
Wor B
Jun 7, 2021 at 7:59 PM
Comment #1jazzyp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw_sJifUYgM
Jail for Ashley
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Comment #2Sound like another Ryan Fraser job.
Ketsbaia9
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:06 PM
Comment #3Goal is a great film. Goal 2 is all good. Goal 3 is worth watching but isn’t as good. Would give that a 5/10.
Mund
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:06 PM
Comment #4Darren Farley
@DFImpressionist
Rafa Benitez and Steve Bruce scrap over Newcastle United
https://mobile.twitter.com/DFImpressionist/status/1401954592192073730
Ketsbaia9
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:07 PM
Comment #5Get him signed. Quality player. Also sign Van Aanholt on a free. Get rid of Lewis, Dummett and Ritchie.
jimiley
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:11 PM
Comment #6Jonjo and the 8 million war chest for Willock?
jimiley
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:12 PM
Comment #740 million for Joe and 15 million for Lewis.
55 million on two players who would struggle to play for Hartlepool.
Is anybody held to account for wasting 55 million?
captainmarvel
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:15 PM
Comment #8Magic, best wishes my friend, enjoy!!
magicmac54
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:16 PM
Comment #9Mund@4
Brilliant Mund i love it 😀 😀 😀
magicmac54
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:19 PM
Comment #10Captainmarvel
Thanks so much Captain much appreciated mate.
magicmac54
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:23 PM
Comment #11Essex Geordie
Bill
Thanks Bill you have made my day referring to me as one of the youngsters of the blog as if Bill 😀 😀 😀
Swlabr
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:25 PM
Comment #12DMickey….last post @116. Is that something you use regularly now, or DO regularly now?
Swlabr
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:26 PM
Comment #13Magic, happy birthday. 6 more years and you’ll be the same age as me. Oh, hang on, that’s not how it works is it.
Legolas
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:26 PM
Comment #14Happy birthday magic, and happy birthday tomorrow Bob.
jazzyp
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:29 PM
Comment #15Wor b
Foo fighters all day for me i am afraid
Swlabr
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:32 PM
Comment #16Jazzy…Dave Grohl is a force of nature!
jazzyp
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:40 PM
Comment #17Swlabr
They are amazing live mate
jane
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:40 PM
Comment #18why do some players have a harder shot than others? is it strength or technique? which of our players have the hardest and weakest shots?
hard:
Shelvey
Sean Longstaff
Fernandez
St Max
Schar
soft
Almiron
Joelinton
Swlabr
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:45 PM
Comment #19Jazzy..I can imagine! 1st I noticed about Dave Grohl was his drumming with Nirvana I didn’t like them but I do appreciate a good drummer. Then again with Queens of the Stone age. He was so good I was amazed when he switched to guitar for the Foo Fighters.
Swlabr
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:47 PM
Comment #20Jane, I think Ritchie has a fairly hard shot in his left boot.
Wor B
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:51 PM
Comment #21jazzy
Me too, but as far as any takeover news goes it’s Francis Rossi and co.
🙁
Jail for Ashley
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:53 PM
Comment #22I want to go and see that young Kiwi lass live, Lorde, love her music.
Mund
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:53 PM
Comment #23Black circlePaul Usher
@Paul_Usher1
·
34m
Hellow
@GeorgeCaulkin
, I know you can’t say anything if you do know things about the takeover, but in all honesty which way do you think it will go ? I’m hoping against all hope Folded hands
1
George Caulkin
@GeorgeCaulkin
·
6m
I honestly don’t know Paul. How can I know what the result of an arbitration case will be? Both sides have expressed confidence. But confidence has lost any worth over the last 3 years, hasn’t it? Just have to wait it out …
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:55 PM
Comment #24Magic you are to me! 🙂
Mund
Jun 7, 2021 at 8:58 PM
Comment #25For anyone looking for something to watch I recommend the 3 part mini drama on BBC called Time. It’s a brilliant cast led by Sean Bean and Stephen Graham. You won’t be disappointed.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:14 PM
Comment #26I’m not sure if Ben Jacobs will be back on Steve Wraiths show. Him and KP were at each other calling each other trolls and stooges etc 😳
Readingmag
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:15 PM
Comment #27Mund – Agreed
magicmac54
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:15 PM
Comment #28Swlabr and Legolas
Thank you so very much lads.
lesh
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:16 PM
Comment #29Alexa’s meant to answer questions, not ask them.
magicmac54
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:17 PM
Comment #30Essex Geordie
Bill
Bill you always come across as a young man, there must be something in the air in Essex 😀 😀 😀
Jail for Ashley
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:17 PM
Comment #31There was a good few people on the thread complaining that if you said anything negative on the takeover you are labelled anti-takeover anti-Saudi beIN/PL stooge and blocked from viewing their account?
Jail for Ashley
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:19 PM
Comment #32Last full shift tonight, can’t wait to get out there 😕
lesh
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:20 PM
Comment #33Cleveleysbob and Magicmac54…….
Oh oh, two more Geminis?
As the saying goes – ‘You’re never alone with a schizophrenic’
Early and a belated greetings on your birthday.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:22 PM
Comment #34I want to watch that Time but have just started the Israeli series Fauda.
Mund
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:25 PM
Comment #35It’s a really good watch Jail and only 3 episodes which you will fly through
magicmac54
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:30 PM
Comment #36Mund@23
Mund that journalist George Caulkin comes across as a really genuine guy that doesn`t come out with false stories for clickbait, i must confess i got it wrong about him about a year ago as i honestly thought he was just like the rest of the journalists, how wrong i was.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:32 PM
Comment #37Mund,
Wor lass has already started it so I’ll have to watch it on my own, normally watch my stuff on the cross trainer or treadmill so I think I’ll have to get Fauda out of the way first.
magicmac54
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:32 PM
Comment #38Lesh
Thanks young Lesh, are you also a Gemini mate?
Mund
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:34 PM
Comment #39magic
He has a long history with the toon and most known for his very close relationship with the great SBR mate.
I dare not say he is the most trusted journalist this fanbase thinks of, without a shadow of a doubt.
Mund
Jun 7, 2021 at 9:36 PM
Comment #40Jail
You will enjoy it I’m certain of that and tbf who doesn’t enjoy much when Sean Bean is the leading man as well as Stephen Graham as they are both brilliant actors.