It’s become very apparent which area Steve Bruce sees as the most in need of reinforcements. After each of our three friendlies, Bruce has bemoaned his lack of options in the midfield and reiterated that after last night’s draw at Rotherham.
When asked about recruitment, Bruce stated the midfield was ‘a must’ and that he would try to strengthen there first. He was also pressed again about Joe Willock who is the primary target. The Chronicle has published the following from Bruce on the Arsenal midfielder:
“I’ve said many times now, he’s Arsenal’s player.
“Joe has to decide.
“But there has to be a cut-off point where we can’t wait forever.
“We have one or two other options and it would be wrong if we didn’t
“Joe is our first choice and we are encouraged to keep bashing away.
“There is a cut off point though.”
Willock remains the preferred target, however, as again Bruce, there will come a time when Newcastle have to move on. Thankfully, that point hasn’t been reached just yet but Newcastle cannot wait forever.
Bruce is hoping to add another midfielder along with Willock. Other options could include Chelsea duo Conor Gallagher and Ross Barkley, Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury, and Midtjylland’s Jens Cajuste.
However, Cajuste’s price tag could prove a stumbling block at around £13m. That could also be the case with Angers midfielder Angelo Fulgini (shown above) who The Mail is reporting has popped up on our radar.
Newcastle and Crystal Palace are monitoring the 24-year-old’s situation, who is valued at around £12m. Fulgini is an attacking midfielder who represented France up to the U21 level.
As a teenager at Valenciennes, he was linked with the likes of AC Milan, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Liverpool before moving to Angers for around £1m in 2017.
Fulgini now has just two years remaining on his contract with Angers potentially open to offers. Last season, he made 36 appearances in all competitions providing 10 goals and 4 assists.
He ticks a few boxes of what Steve Bruce is looking to add to the midfield. He can score goals (at least in Ligue 1), is an outstanding dribbler, and would instantly improve our set-pieces. He’s also extremely versatile playing across a front three at times.
However, like with Jens Cajuste, his asking price could deter Newcastle from making a move. With Bruce focusing on domestic loans, Fulgini could just be a periphery target at the moment.
236 comments so far
lochinvar
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:16 PM
Comment #1Bruce on strikers
“We’ve got Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and we’ve got Dwight.
“We’ve got five. How many do you have in a squad of 22 outfield players?
Well Brucie that’s only 4.
Presume you mean to include Wilson.
In realty he’s the only striker, others play from deeper positions. Gayle just makes up the numbers.
Its not the fans that are deluded. It’s the manager.
Optimistic prime
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:16 PM
Comment #2Jail
Is that the bloke Magnum works for?
The Ledge
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:31 PM
Comment #3Cheers Jail, Scythe and whoever else is involved in setting up the H2H .
Not another deJong
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:31 PM
Comment #4In line with Bruces “B” adjectives, “Baconing away” refers to the fat, streaky rasher rubbing salt into the wound.
mctoon
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:32 PM
Comment #5Joe has to decide?
I thought it was Arteta?
doesn’t sound too keen to come back..
Aces-of-Eights
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:34 PM
Comment #6Monaco havent qualified for ch lge just yet
Adamn_92
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:45 PM
Comment #7You never know, maybe Willock was hopeful of a takeover and is now having second thoughts like Maxi…
toon22
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:46 PM
Comment #8We do still have Henrick
Seems to be in a bit of form scoring goals right now
………..
mctoon
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:49 PM
Comment #9The reality of Ashley’s United.. Willock probably feels he’s outgrown us already.
Scythe For Bruce
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:50 PM
Comment #10Lesh said earlier that Chelsea and ourselves are the only clubs not to have have signed any players so far. He was very close to the truth, but Chelsea actually signed goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Fulham as cover, so we’re the ONLY club not to have signed anyone so far.
Great job Mike!
Not another deJong
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:53 PM
Comment #11“Newcastle have assets that could have been traded if they moved in a more dynamic way.”
….however…..
“Kicking the can down the road was what seemed to be the approach even before they had a takeover to hide behind.”
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-going-newcastles-strained-summer-21168433
—————————————————-
I had been wondering who set up the ‘new GBE points system’ for transfers, it appears the FA have setup a sytem that supports teams with an existing large pool of young players already on their books. I wonder who that could be???
Scythe For Bruce
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:54 PM
Comment #12Ledge
Happy to help set it up. It’ll be more of a laugh this season with the more regular bloggers directly involved in the H2H leagues instead of people who never post here.
Might bring some competitive spirit to the blog. Definitely won’t cause any trouble though. Definitely not 🙂
Mund
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:55 PM
Comment #13Jail 😆
Are you comparing yourself to an Oxford University’s leading Roman historian?
We have Lord Henry Higginbottom and on the other hand we have FPL Jail for Mike Ashley 😆 oh dear the head might pop.
onmeedsun
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:57 PM
Comment #14When was the last time any of us truly trusted the decision making at the club. From Chairman down to manager. This is the root of all of our problems. Poor decision making. This covers commercial strategy, player recruitment, fan engagement and tactics during matches. We just don’t trust any of them to get it right.
Scythe For Bruce
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:57 PM
Comment #15Hoping Monaco don’t get Willock over there to tour their stadium and look around the principality. His head will be immediately turned compared to what we have at Newcastle.
I know he was close with ASM and seemed to like working with Bruce (for some reason?), plus he might be looking forward to playing in front of some manic Geordies, but who knows. We may not see him in the black and white stripes again.
Aces-of-Eights
Jul 28, 2021 at 6:58 PM
Comment #16Who thinks we will get any points in December after Burnley match?
Aces-of-Eights
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Comment #17If we lose to Burton Friday the Mackems will have a field day
Mund
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:01 PM
Comment #18So when Bruce says stuff like Joe has to decide we take him at his word and that means he isn’t keen but everything else he is a blagger?
lesh
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:01 PM
Comment #19Must say that the article Carltoon posted explained a lot about the takeover legalities.
Ok, so it looks as though Arbitration will take place before the CAT hearing – that’s assuming that CAT decides that Ashley’s claim is within that court’s jurisdiction. But if Arbitration finds in favour of the EPL….. Ashley’s CAT claim seems to cover:
The Claimant [Ashley] seeks:
a) Damages for loss of profit or, alternatively, loss of opportunity.
b) An injunction requiring the Defendant to withdraw the Director Decision and/or to reconsider the same.
c) Interest.
d) Costs.
e) Such further or other relief as the Tribunal considers appropriate.
So, if Arbitration backs the EPL, then the subsequent CAT hearing, it looks as though CAT could issue an injuction telling the EPL to revisit its decision to block the takeover.
I’m probably wrong and like most of us, this is doing me head in.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:02 PM
Comment #20Of course not Mund, there’s no such person as a lord Henry Higginbottom you dullard 😀
Rotonda heights
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:04 PM
Comment #21This guy could be asm’s replacement.
carltoon
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:06 PM
Comment #22Davas, Lesh, I’m not known for my links, but i had read it earlier, and thought it was understandable.
Mund
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:10 PM
Comment #23😆 I’m the dullard
Ok Mr FPL Jail for Mike Ashley 😆
Rotonda heights
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:11 PM
Comment #24If piracy has been sorted why don’t pif give up trying to prove separation? City are state agency financed so the precedent has been set.
Ash is right, there are some dark forces at play. If the PL are so bent and at the beck and call of bein and the big 6, what is the point supporting a team where there’ll never be a level playing field. It stinks.
Mund
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:11 PM
Comment #25https://mobile.twitter.com/AWSFpodcast/status/1420354702605275136
The Ledge
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:13 PM
Comment #26Don’t have much time for that Yosef lad either he is anti-takeover and a bit of a dip sh1t.
Doesn’t like people asking questions especially regards the trust .
Mund
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:16 PM
Comment #27Ledge
That’s how I see him as well.
TheTinman
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:19 PM
Comment #28Jail, I’ve sent you the league code
Optimistic prime
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:32 PM
Comment #29I’m still positive.
Boots fit, mail’s getting through,,moral is high.
Can’t wait to see Hendrick on the left with Almiron and Frazer on the bench.
Optimistic prime
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:35 PM
Comment #30Leah
So no sale to the Pif in our life times?
Optimistic prime
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:37 PM
Comment #31I’m not changing it, you suit Leah 😉
Scythe For Bruce
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:40 PM
Comment #32Tinman
Cheers for helping out! It wouldn’t let me set up the other H2Hs without me being included in them too, so I appreciate you doing that 🙂
TheTinman
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:44 PM
Comment #33No problemo Scythe.
jazzyp
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:44 PM
Comment #34Newcastle United are at last crowned champions.
Whilst every other single Premier League club has made at least one signing in the 2021 summer transfer window, Newcastle United have refused to blink.
It is day 50 of the transfer window today and all the other 19 PL clubs have made one or more signing, some making six or seven.
Now that right there ladies and Gent’s just gives you so much optimism for the upcoming season.Boy it just gets ya juices flowing for the season ahead and all them battle royals at the foot of the table
Essex Geordie Bill
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:46 PM
Comment #35There wouldn’t be a need for another striker if the rest of the team are chipping in goals, that’s quite a big IF with our squad though.
Optimistic prime
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:48 PM
Comment #36Have faith lads, two more weeks 🙂
Mund
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:48 PM
Comment #37Maybe the reason Willock is out?
Mike Ashley
@MoneyMikeAshley
·
5m
Replying to
@MoneyMikeAshley
Arsenal and West Ham have it bad as well. So back to masks it is
Mund
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:49 PM
Comment #38Mike Ashley
@MoneyMikeAshley
ASM has Covid again btw, so f@@k knows how long he’s out for
#nufc
Mund
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:51 PM
Comment #39The second one first. I thought I posted it but obviously the nether took it
Optimistic prime
Jul 28, 2021 at 7:51 PM
Comment #40Maybe Wilock and Asm are on honeymoon?