The Times recently claimed that Newcastle see Italy as an ideal market to raid for world-class talent. The report named three players embroiled in current contract sagas as potential future targets.
Those players are Lazio keeper Thomas Strakosha and Inter Milan pair Marcelo Brozovic and Stefan de Vrij. Brozovic and Strakosha are both on deals that will expire in the summer while de Vrij is in a prolonged dispute to extend his Inter stay beyond 2023.
There has also been reports that Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne is on the radar. The 30-year-old is out of contract in the summer and engaged in a bitter dispute with the club he’s been with since the age of 15.
The theme that runs through these targets is that they are world-class stars with uncertain futures at their current clubs. However, another theme is that they are very unlikely to join Newcastle in our current state.
This stark reality can also be transferred to Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic, who has been touted as a potential target according to Alan Nixon in The Sun. The 21-year-old’s trajectory has seen him emerge as one of the most coveted striking talents in the world.
He has been tangentially linked in the past and Nixon claims Newcastle scouted him during Serbia’s monumental win at Portugal during the break. But his sudden rise in production will likely mean he is out of Newcastle’s reach at the moment.
The Partizan Academy product joined Fiorentina in the summer of 2018 as an 18-year-old. The striker broke into the first team in 2019-20, mainly as an impact substitute scoring 6 goals in his 30 league appearances.
It was at this juncture last season that his talents truly started to blossom. From December 2020 to the present, the 6’3″ Vlahovic has scored 30 goals in his 40 Serie A appearances. He has added 2 goals in 2 Cup appearances as well as 6 goals in his last 10 caps for Serbia.
His contract with Fiorentina runs out in 2023. However, they are now resigned to the fact that Vlahovic will not be signing a new deal to remain in Florence. They will likely cash in on their star striker in January or next summer.
Vlahovic was heavily linked as a potential Harry Kane replacement if Tottenham had caved in and sold the striker last summer. Manchester City are also admirers of the prolific Serb.
His price tag has been touted as high as £70m but Nixon claims it could be less than that. Newcastle could theoretically outbid any rivals but the glaring issue would be convincing Vlahovic to come to a struggling Newcastle enmeshed in a desperate fight for survival.
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121 comments so far
Ashingtoon62
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:44 PM
Comment #81Good to hear Jail.
What’s your thoughts on our current league position?
😉
Wor B
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:46 PM
Comment #82Fatha
You are spot on sir, as I was driving on my errand, after posting the (apocryphal?) ‘Send reinforcements. We’re going to advance’ quote, I realized my rhyme lacked reason.
However, I was obsessed with tanners last week, and so the sixpence pulled rank.
That’s the best flim-flam I can think of at the moment.
😆
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:46 PM
Comment #83Quite pleasing to see that nufc.co.uk the official website are now telling you when tickets go on sale, not sure if it’s always done that mind. The Man U tickets go on sale on the 30th of November, that would be the best Christmas I’ve ever had if Steve Bruce was in the opposition dug out and we spanked them. Can you just imagine the 90 minutes of noise directed at him 😀
“It’s just noise, that’s all it is”
Really Steve????
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:48 PM
Comment #84Ashingtoon,
It’s perilous 😕
Mund
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:49 PM
Comment #85Tom
Not really mate but I have read the book 😀
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:49 PM
Comment #86Does anyone else think that a DoF is in place but not announced yet?
niafron
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:51 PM
Comment #87About Pochettino
No confirmation from a french source right now, only reports from the english press.
Ashingtoon62
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:53 PM
Comment #88My thoughts exactly on our league position.
On the DOF no way,I think the owners will be shouting it from the rooftops,before the ink is dry.
That’s assuming that it’s a top drawer signing..
hibbit
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:53 PM
Comment #89Clasol looks a bit misty at your placehttps://www.visitflagler.com/beaches/webcams/
gold star for effort by the way !!!!!!!!!!!!
Wor B
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:54 PM
Comment #90Jail
It’s possible, they could be in that ‘agreed in principle’ and still working through the fine print. No reason to hide it once it’s all sorted though?
Toon fans bad
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:56 PM
Comment #91Poch to Manure, Zidane to PSG maybe?
Peter
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:58 PM
Comment #92Jail, No
Peter
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:58 PM
Comment #93They have just learned to keep mouth shut until signed
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:01 PM
Comment #94They said there would be an overhaul of the ticketing system. At the moment you can’t print your tickets out at home which makes returning them a chew and getting them in time for the game a risk when relying on the Royal Mail, which isn’t too bad to be honest. I also think that the price freeze is going to be over, that was never done for the fans benefit anyway and was done to stop people chucking them as he knew they would when the policy of pre-planned dross kicked in.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:03 PM
Comment #95Ashingtoon62,
Don’t you think it could be seen as a distraction in this next run of three games and therefore better to keep it quiet, or maybe a DoF wants to see where we are after these next three games.
Toonces
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:05 PM
Comment #96Clasol – nice. I am in Jacksonville. We get down to St. Augustine fairly often but not much further than that. Many more flight options to the UK from Orlando to be sure but we almost always fly out of JAX. Been over to Newcastle twice in 2014 and 2016 (my dad was born and raised there) and looking to get back again. 2022 looks likely. Newcastle have two victories in the two matches I have seen at St. James. Need to keep that streak alive!
niafron
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:06 PM
Comment #97@TFB
That’s the idea, but i don’t see Zidane to sign with Paris now, the French national team is still his priority.
And without Zidane, unlikely to see the PSG quietly accepting the departure of Pochettino.
Anyway, will be a broadcasting of RMC ( french radio well informed about Football ) in the next few minutes about the whole story, will tell you.
Ashingtoon62
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:07 PM
Comment #98It’s anyone’s guess at the ticket pricing policy,although I wouldn’t be surprised to see a continuation of the price freeze.Or quite reasonable priced tickets,what better way to “Stick it up em” :D:
Peter
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:07 PM
Comment #99Jail, I think it is as simple as negotiation going on. I would be disappointed if a prospective DoF did not negotiate hard
Ashingtoon62
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:07 PM
Comment #100GRRRR!!!
😀
Wor B
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:08 PM
Comment #101Some inspirational journey’s being undertaken to watch the match atm.
Well done Clasol!
Next game I’m gonna dive off Tynemouth pier, swim up the Tyne then pogo stick up to the match.
Knowing my luck, I’ll be there just in time to see carltoon parachuting into the ground with a Red Arrows fly past.
😆
Peter
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:09 PM
Comment #102and… then command lines back to RSA
Peter
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:10 PM
Comment #103KSA
West Lancs Geordie
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:13 PM
Comment #104Not impressed by some of the so called top rated players being bandied around by the press that Howe is ALLEGEDLY interested in signing in the summer. Why are they thought to be fine for NUFC when they can’t command a regular spot with their present clubs. I.E. Nathan Ake (Man City) ,and worst of all Jones (Man U ) who is reported to be on £120000 + per week and hasn’t featured at all for two years. Also Harry Winks cant get a regular place at Spurs and for what transfer fee he would command is he any better than Willock say ?
Sadly though the only players that will want to come are NOT the likes of Coutinuo, Lingard, Lacazette, Rabiot, Vlahovic, Van Der Beek, Zaha, Delle Alli, and Dembele. None of those will want to be involved in a relegation battle . Much like the top need managers we were allegedly after.
No my realistic view is we may have to accept another relegation before we get back up despite all our riches.
Romford mag
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:13 PM
Comment #105The next match I’m watching on the telly box
🙁
Peter
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:13 PM
Comment #106WorB, after the swim… walk up the incline. After the match pogo back down
onmeedsun
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:15 PM
Comment #107Any DofF also needs to be prepared to operate in the Championship for a season so has to be in for the long haul. Same with players. We need total commitment to the ‘project’. I’ve been committed for 40 years so what’s a year.
Peter
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:15 PM
Comment #108Ignore all player links. click bait and agents.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:15 PM
Comment #109Any Harry Potter fans, this guy has done a list of characters and their Mike Ashley’s Nufc equivalent. Quite funny 😀
https://twitter.com/fffestED/status/1462780633953050624?t=nKxV2eZdtXF7yhD4k1z0YQ&s=08
check the toastie
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:15 PM
Comment #110Wish Joelinton well, hes trying his best and has done ok the past month in terms of effort but hes still miles away from being a dangerous forward player in the prem. Absolutely miles away.
Ashingtoon62
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:17 PM
Comment #111No Jail
Why should it be seen as a distraction?
An immediate announcement would.
a) Give the support/city a boost.
b)Give the media something positive to report about.
Although saying that. I know they will still put their negative spin on it..
You can see the headlines now.
“Top clas DOF certainly has his work cut out!”
etc etc…
West Lancs Geordie
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:17 PM
Comment #112No as such as Saturdays game was exciting and entertaining – a real breath of fresh air from what we have become accustomed to. There is no way we will be able to play like that against Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool in the next few weeks. Norwich an Burnley are just win games as was Brentford. Hopefully Dubs and Hayden back in for Arsenal to add a bit of stability.
Wor B
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:19 PM
Comment #113Rom
Could be worse, I image Jail’s wireless still receives the Light Programme in the pre and post match analysis slots.
🙂
Peter
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:19 PM
Comment #114not bad Jail
niafron
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:21 PM
Comment #1150K, so according to RMC, there’s nothing solid about Pochettino.
The fact is the guy is quiet unhappy about how the club is run, but he will consider leaving only if Paris doesn’t want him anymore.
And nothing about Zidane coming.
So, unlikely at the moment.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:21 PM
Comment #116West Lancs Geordie,
I enjoy reading your posts, however there’s a poster called north east linc geordie who is a right miserable git, sorry but I used to sometimes get you mixed up. He’s got an avatar now and that’s what made me twig 😀
West Lancs Geordie
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:22 PM
Comment #117It takes you wonder if we are having the same trouble attracting a DOF as we did with The Manager for very much the same reasons. None of these big hitters want RELEGATION on their CV. Perhaps the Chelsea guy just went over to Saudi for a paid winter break!
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:22 PM
Comment #118Toonces
Cheers – haven’t had a chance to see any replays – just live at the game
Didn’t think there was a touch as Joe didn’t complain.
As for Joe yes not a forward but our best midfield player by a country mile
Peter
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:23 PM
Comment #119Czech toasted. I am one of Billy Joel’s biggest critics. But… he did really well on Saturday. Played in right position for once. If he continues to play like that, i will be happy
hibbit
Nov 22, 2021 at 4:27 PM
Comment #120Clasol looks a bit misty at your place
https://www.visitflagler.com/beaches/webcams/
gold star for effort by the way !!!!!!!!!!!!