Eddie Howe has given his press briefing ahead of today’s friendly against Al-Ittihad. The exciting news is he has confirmed, though not named, his potential third signing of this window saying:
“We are hopeful we’re getting closer to completing a transfer for a player.
“We’ll try and give you that update as soon as we have it but fingers crossed we’re close to getting one over the line.
“From my perspective, I don’t imagine that would be the end of our interest in bringing new players in.
“Whether that turns into reality, who knows. It can be quite unpredictable in the last couple of days. We’re open and we’re working hard to improve the squad.”
Howe was most likely referencing Lyon playmaker Bruno Guimaraes who is undergoing a medical in Brazil ahead of a £33m move plus a sizeable bonus should the club avoid relegation this season.
This breakthrough comes after two weeks of frustration in the window. After signing Kieren Trippier and Chris Wood over the first two weeks of the window, it’s been nothing but deep disappointment since.
Howe is also not revealing who in the squad will make way for the new signings. Though the club have a mammoth task in that regard ahead of them.
“It all depends on incomings. We’ll make the right decisions on that closer to the window shutting when we know where we are.
“We have to get that balance right, especially with the younger players, but the majority of the squad will stay intact.”
Howe has also provided some positive news on injuries. Newcastle flew to Saudi Arabia after last Saturday’s monumental 1-0 win at Leeds for some warm weather training. The win was punitive as Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett, and Joelinton were forced off with injuries.
Ryan Fraser was also hobbled but soldiered on to see out the match. It appears that injuries to the quartet are not serious with Fraser and Lascelles back in training. Dummett and Joelinton are very close to joining them.
Howe has also revealed that Federico Fernandez has returned to light training but is still some ways away. Here is the head coach’s update per Newcastle’s Twitter account:
“Fede is back running with physios but he’s not training so he’s still some way away.
“Jamaal Lascelles has trained this week so that’s a positive.
“Joelinton and Paul Dummett haven’t trained but we don’t think their injuries are too serious.”
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81 comments so far
toonbrother
Jan 28, 2022 at 12:58 PM
Comment #1I don’t understand why we keep signing mediocre 30yr old journeymen like wood and Burn?
Are these guys really better than what we already have?
Burn was still playing in the championship as of 2 seasons ago
Mund
Jan 28, 2022 at 12:59 PM
Comment #2If we don’t sign a LB I’d have Manq play there for the rest of the season. Job done
DaraghL
Jan 28, 2022 at 12:59 PM
Comment #3Toonbrother. Simply put. Yes.
Adamn_92
Jan 28, 2022 at 12:59 PM
Comment #4Clint, replied on previous mate.
Jail from previous
That’s why I don’t buy into this pact thing even more. Glaziers are profit driven and most of the owners of the top 6 clubs will be interested in money. So makes no sense to burn bridges with a club who now has the richest owners out there. Why burn a bridge to potentially mega money deals down the road?
If Manure don’t let Lingard go then serious questions should be asked at Manure. Awful treatment of a player and total waste of bringing in some finances.
toonbrother
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:00 PM
Comment #5In case you don’t know ,Guimaraes in the holding role changes EVERYTHING
Brings the all out of defence
Can receive the ball under pressure
And protects the back 4
Perfect upgrade on Shelvey
I just hope Eddie Howe doesn’t try to play him as an 8 like he does with Longstaff
Adamn_92
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:00 PM
Comment #6toonbrother
Fills a gap and upgrades us to try and stay up this season. Can be part of the squad for a season or 2 and then be replaced by younger upgrades down the line. Short fix for an immediate problem.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:03 PM
Comment #7Adamn
Same bro.
Ta for the proper response mate.
Good debating skills man, appreciated.
Mund
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:03 PM
Comment #8If the club didn’t have damning evidence against the PL the case would of been played out as long as possible and no doubt we would of lost.
That is the only reason we have the takeover now. The PL fought for nearly 2 years to stop the takeover from happening.
Do we really think there isn’t deep corruption within the game? Once that evidence we had was shown they all folded like a deck of cards after fighting so long with delays and simply not backing down one bit.
I believe if that evidence saw the light of day it wouldn’t of just been the PL f**ked, there would be many of the top clubs involved and would of opened the biggest scandal in sporting history.
They fought for two years then folded
But no there isn’t any corruption
toonbrother
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:03 PM
Comment #9@ Adamn_92
Defenders tend to reach their use-by date in their early 30s
Why are we spending (allegedly) 14m on a player with only a few years of top flight football left in him?
I’d rather that Money go towards a botman or a Kelly
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:04 PM
Comment #10toonbrother,
We’re already very weak in central defence, having to play Clark last week. Dummet and Hayden who can play CB are both injured. We are one more injury in defence from a gaping weakness turning in to a crisis. So yes Burn/Holding/Chambers/
Phillips and EVEN the lumbering error prone Nathan Ake would be an improvement on what we have right now.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:06 PM
Comment #11Adamn
Re: the treatment of Lingard/players.
Maybe we’re getting close to the end of the buying/selling of people slave-like in football. I’m not holding my breath like.
But it’s pretty diabolical in the 21st century.
Hardly progressive, and sends a f@#£in’ s@£t message out.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:06 PM
Comment #12Does Krafth come in from the cold because Dan Burn isn’t good enough.
Adamn_92
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:07 PM
Comment #13Clint
No worries mate, interesting thing to debate and civil throughout. Who would have thought it on this blog hey? haha
Mund
Nobody is saying there isn’t corruption in the game. Far from it. So I’m not sure why you’re saying that? All i’ve said is it’s my opinion that there isn’t a pact to not do business with us. As I just don’t see it making any logical sense from the apparent clubs involved for reasons i’ve said many times now.
Of course there’s corruption in the game. Just giving my thoughts on the pact thing.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:08 PM
Comment #14Raj
…and… we’re nit at the point where
CLINT FLICK
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:08 PM
Comment #15…any player will come.
Money don’t buy everything.
the crown princes nashers
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:09 PM
Comment #16mund
agreed 100% and just with how the clubs reacted to our takeover, then the media jumped on it, think the top corrupt 6 and the PL who gives them this power needs a good investigation a bit like this none westminister partie scandals which will never get to see the light of day either along with the likes of the westminister child abuse enquiry which is still looking for a judge and they say corruption does not happen yeah right
IrishRob
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:09 PM
Comment #17My level of anxiety would absolutely plummet if we signed Lingard. This Bruno lad looks good and will help stop conceding goals and get goals for the team one way or another, along with a CB. But lingard will honestly be the huge missing piece we need in regards to scoring enough goals. We get him, Bruno and a CB and there’s no way we’re getting relegated, even without a CB we will probably be OK.
But these deals need to get done. None of them are over the line yet, so it’s too early for too much optimism from just yet. Lol
Adamn_92
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:09 PM
Comment #18toonbrother
Like I say, just a short term fix. £14m will seem like good business if he came in and made us more solid at the back and helped keep us up. Can then be a squad player for another season or 2 before being upgraded by someone younger. The likes of Botman we tried to sign, only for the price to reach silly money and we don’t want to be seen to be taken for mugs. As it would have a domino effect on future negotiations with clubs. Players like that will come in time, some already are like Bruno. But for now upgrades in problem areas is the key thing regardless of age really. We’ll probably see plenty of changes to our squad in the years to come.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:10 PM
Comment #19Adamn
Sweet!
I knew you were a decent sort, i like ya style, bud!
SPRINGY
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:10 PM
Comment #20If bakker isn’t coming and no other left back is signed then lewis needs to knuckle down and push hard till end of the season to make them think twice about strengthening that position….great opportunity for him…. manquillo is ok to fill in but a full back needs to deliver as well as defend…lewis can deliver just needs to strengthen his work rate and defensive side….. saying that would rather have bakker in like….he looks quality at both ends already
The Dyslexic God
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:10 PM
Comment #21Personally, I think Wood is a great signing. CW and ASM running off him will create a ghat full of chances. He seemed to win every challenge vs Leeds.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:11 PM
Comment #22Crownie
Bullseye, again!
😀
The Dyslexic God
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:13 PM
Comment #23You cannot sue a club for not selling you a player. He is contracted. So, if for instance, Manure demand £1m a game for Lingard for us, but loan him out to Molesey Juniors for £1 a week, that is their choice.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:13 PM
Comment #2414m for a solid, defender.
Bargain.
Defenders are like keepers, get good with age, experience.
IrishRob
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:15 PM
Comment #25TB Howe is 100% going to play him as an 8 lol. Shelvey isn’t going to be removed from the team and he doesn’t have the legs to play at 8 anymore.
You may get used to the Shelvey masterclass at cmd lol
the crown princes nashers
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:15 PM
Comment #26The Dyslexic God
yes thats correct and its our owners choice not to sponsor them anymore 😉 🙂
JP...from The Rock
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:15 PM
Comment #27Is Luis Diaz really going to Liverpool? We should try our luck and go for him as he is a fabulous player. If we could take him of the corrupt top 6’s hands then that would be another big middle finger to them as well. A win win situation. Go for it Mandy.
Tyran21
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:16 PM
Comment #28Lewis will improve if he works hard. He can learn from one of the best wingback.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:17 PM
Comment #29TDG,
Not a nice feeling at the time but getting knocked out of that cup was a blessing in disguise
coming home
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:17 PM
Comment #30I still think Lingard will come and after Bruno is the single most important player to keep us up
Lingard is a quality player make no mistake
lesh
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:18 PM
Comment #31Adamn_92
@4
Yes, the Glaziers are money focused and the point you made about whether they’d be OK with missing out on ~£25m if Lingard didn’t move is a fair point. To most other clubs, missing out on so much money is serious. But let’s not forget that £25m is relative small change to ManU.
I suspect the Glaziers might be seeing a bigger picture and believe that the risk to ManU’s status and therefore earnings potential is reduced if NUFC develop as anticipated. In the light of that, they might see £25m as a hit they can live with if it might result in NUFC relegation and thus slowing down the club’s development which they’d see a threat to ManU’s massive earnings potential.
Faced with missing out on £25m or see ManU lose its prominent place at football’s top table, I suspect the Glaziers opt for taking the £25m hit and Lingard staying put.
Tyran21
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:18 PM
Comment #32IrishRob
Not necessary, Howe might play Shelvey as an 8. Which I think is a better role for Shelvey.
Adamn_92
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:19 PM
Comment #33Wonder if we make a late move for Lloyd Kelly at Bournemouth actually. Didn’t we just sign Andy Howe from them as a new scout for us? He should know Kelly well and if he rates him then i’m sure he’d be suggesting a move for him.
IrishRob
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:19 PM
Comment #34Tb I always thought defenders had the longest playing career of any outfield players, because they have far less running to do and aren’t as reliant on pace . Bit odd to suggest the complete opposite there tbf.
Not starting an argument now, just pointing it out.
the crown princes nashers
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:20 PM
Comment #35lesh
and also if man shite mess us about like they have been they could in turn wave bye bye from saudi sponsorship money as well
Tyran21
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:20 PM
Comment #36Ideally is Bruno,Joelinton and Willock though…..I hope
Mund
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:21 PM
Comment #37nashers
Exactly mate. Like I said earlier, once you see what you see you realise anything is possible.
Mund
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:23 PM
Comment #38Adam
Each to their own on this as always.
You accept that the self imposed top 6 lobbied against the takeover, so is it far fetched to to think these clubs will make it extremely difficult to negotiate with?
I don’t think it is and tbh it would make sense and fit the agenda they have had since the papers were handed in to the PL
Adamn_92
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:23 PM
Comment #39Lesh
Fair point, but the effect of not doing business with us now is surely something our new owners would take on board. Especially if they believe Manure or other clubs were refusing to do business with us hoping we fail. So whilst it could be seen as a move to try and stop us from staying up and slowing our progression. The bigger picture would be that even if we were relegated, our project is far bigger than that and we’d be back and pushing still. So at some stage we’ll be where they potentially fear we’ll be. So if there was any foul play feeling on our end, then it would still deny them of potential future business with us which could see them miss out on selling/buying players for high value with us. So that £25m you quoted would seem rather silly if it denied them potential multiple deals of much higher value with us down the road.
It’s all hypothetical and if’s, buts and opinions really though.
barkel
Jan 28, 2022 at 1:23 PM
Comment #40I think singing players like wood & burn are sensible. They are not world beaters but they are steady, with premier league experience. Short term solutions for short term problems. They improve us and wont disrupt the squad if they’re playing in the championship next season. It’s a good approach. 14 years of neglect can’t be fixed over night. We are not a video game. Also we are not the richest club in the world, we don’t have the luxurious sponsorship deals in place yet.