Frankfurt downed Rangers in the Europa League finals last night. The match went to penalties where Aaron Ramsey’s miss proved decisive as Frankfurt converted their five penalties. The midfielder had been linked with a move to Newcastle over the past few years.
Newcastle had a scout watching the match according to Sport Witness. They weren’t there for Ramsay. Newcastle continued their scouting mission of Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka, who started the match but was substituted in extra time.
The Magpies have scouted the 22-year-old throughout this entire season. His representatives confirmed Newcastle’s interest last month with the former French U21 international entering the final year of his contract.
Ndicka has a £17m release clause which could come into play this summer. With the added revenue of winning the Europa League, Frankfurt will make a last push at extending their star defender. They can only offer so much as their highest-paid player, goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, is on £49k/week.
It is expected that the center-back will depart Frankfurt this summer after four years at the club. He joined them from Auxerre in the summer of 2018 making 139 appearances and significantly raising his stock.
Arsenal and Liverpool were linked with the left-footed defender earlier in the year. He has constantly popped up on Newcastle’s radar over the past few months. While striker is the top priority, a left-footed center-back is also high on the summer agenda.
82 comments so far
WLtoon
May 19, 2022 at 12:55 PM
Comment #1Clint Flick, from prev
Basically that`s about it right there mate
ToonDarnSarf
May 19, 2022 at 12:58 PM
Comment #2WLToon – I thought that Bruno was exactly what we needed but I didn’t expect he would hit the ground running as quickly as he has. He’s definitely exceeded reasonable expectations which is fantastic!
As my previous post, maybe it’s just people who want to gamble more as opposed to seeing gradual progression. Nunez has a higher chance of being a flop than DCL but also a higher chance of turning into a truly top striker too. DCL could be seriously good for us but isn’t as likely to hit either extreme.
At this stage of our progression, I’d rather we signed virtual guarantees. I wouldn’t like to be halfway through next season with an injured Wilson, Nunez not up to speed with the league yet, and we’re relying on Wood to bang in the goals.
WLtoon
May 19, 2022 at 12:59 PM
Comment #3I would love to hear someone ask Bruce how Eddie Howe has got such a tune out of his team, and as to why TFG could do Foot all with them.
ToonDarnSarf
May 19, 2022 at 1:00 PM
Comment #4Saying all that, I trust Howe and the recruitment team. If they are confirmed that Nunez has a high chance of success in the PL, then I’d be delighted if they can sign him. Same goes for anyone else they sign, they’re well in credit for me.
The Mighty Quinn
May 19, 2022 at 1:00 PM
Comment #5sheffstev
Sep 4, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Comment #9
ED i am glad of your support as you are a proud and dedicated FAN. i really believe the FAT GREEDY PIG has already sold NUFC. there is no other logical x planation. On the Positive side it has to be someone WITH MEGA BUCKS
Wow this bloke was years ahead of anyone with the takeover. If you’re still around can you post the lottery numbers for tomorrow night and who we’re going to sign in the summer.
P. S Thanks in advance.
dazzler
May 19, 2022 at 1:01 PM
Comment #6TOF,
Are you seriously comparing Rafa (No money spent on quality players for the prem) to the following:
Pardew – Far better squad of players from his first summer window
McClaren – Fortune spent on players – much better squad and still had us bottom of the league.
Bruce – Fortune spent on players and still only achieved similar points and league finishes as Rafa
Carver – HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
The fact Rafa achieved what he did in spite of Ashley’s contempt is astonishing. Plus he’s been gone how many years now? Give that empty vessel on your shoulders a wobble, mate.
Howe has done an amazing job with unspectacular signings (bar Trips who was injured for most of it, and Bruno), and not to mention missing his best forward.
Imagine being in a strop because the club you allegedly support is doing better now both financially and in terms of performances. Something tells me you support Bruce more than you support NUFC.
CLINT FLICK
May 19, 2022 at 1:05 PM
Comment #7WK
QED, huh?
😀
😉
CLINT FLICK
May 19, 2022 at 1:05 PM
Comment #8*WL
ToonDarnSarf
May 19, 2022 at 1:09 PM
Comment #9Dazzler – All of those comparisons are pointless as league performances are all relative based on things like form of players, injuries, and what other clubs do. For example, Pardew’s 5th placed finish was achieved because a few clubs had terrible seasons based on their potential and we had an amazing one, with several players (e.g. Cayabe, Tiote, HBA, Colo) having the season of their lives. If they were as good as that season made out, then they’d have been sold for mega bucks that following summer. No way would Ashley not have cashed in if he’d had the chance.
I don’t know why fans are even bothering to compare previous managers under Ashley when we’ve finally got a forward thinking manager and owners, both of whom are better than any of the previous since the SBR days.
martoon
May 19, 2022 at 1:11 PM
Comment #10WLtoon @3 I’d love someone to ask Bruce’s pundit mates how they thought he was doing a good job but also stating Howe has improved all the players – how can that be if Bruce was so good???
Dubai Micky
May 19, 2022 at 1:11 PM
Comment #11Nice little write up about our tactics against the arse
https://twitter.com/TalkinTactics/status/1527234499188297730
CLINT FLICK
May 19, 2022 at 1:12 PM
Comment #12Tds
A fit Wilson or a fit DCL?
I’d still have Wilson, personally!
How much would/will DCL cost?
DCL gets talked up by the goons(pundits) but that usually means-jack!
He has never stuck out, to me, in the time he’s been in the prem.
Just going on eyeballing, not hype!
Nunez looks well tasty!
…and with a Portuguese speaking mid…
There’s a certain entitlement baggage that comes with english players, specially ones that gave come thru the england set up…languid, stiff, etc.
Just my observation!
CLINT FLICK
May 19, 2022 at 1:14 PM
Comment #13Dazzler
Aye!
Nut. Shell. In. Got. It. A.
WLtoon
May 19, 2022 at 1:14 PM
Comment #14TDS,
Both of your above posts make sense mate, i see both sides of the discussion.
We can only wait and see how Nunez performs in the PL, he would be my choice but would be an expensive risk, risk being he is unproved.
I can`t see DCL being any better than he has been tbh, injuries take their toll unfortunately, and he isn`t my type of striker , like ive said in previous posts.
martoon
May 19, 2022 at 1:14 PM
Comment #15ToF – We’ve always got on OK but I’ve never understood your irrational hatred of Rafa – has he slept with your wife or something??? 😉
WLtoon
May 19, 2022 at 1:18 PM
Comment #16Martoon@111
Aye,, that would confuse the footers , they can`t have it both ways
CLINT FLICK
May 19, 2022 at 1:19 PM
Comment #17The meta picture supercedes any amount of hype…there are ALWAYS mitigating factors that muddy day to day thinking, but overall, the big picture wins out.
Pundits big up fools, chancers and pals…
Stats can be twisted to suit any argument.
ToonDarnSarf
May 19, 2022 at 1:20 PM
Comment #18CLINT – as I’ve said, DCL got 16 goals in the PL last season and 13 the season before. It’s not about looking pretty on the pitch, it’s about getting the goals, assists, and creating space for others.
No idea why you think there’s baggage with an established, English, Premier League player but not a South American player who has only ever played in Uruguay, Spain, and Portugal.
Opinions are very interesting on this blog but I can’t agree with some of your points.
cleveleysbob
May 19, 2022 at 1:23 PM
Comment #19Lesh,
Explain or validate this outright lie or apologise.
“I don’t recollect you objecting to Cleveleysbob’s Sunday rants questioning the gender of some women footballers. Maybe you missed them or maybe you thought they were OK for a football blog.”
I know you can be a bit “out there”, but making up facts to support your argument? Didn’t think you’d stoop so low.
ToonDarnSarf
May 19, 2022 at 1:27 PM
Comment #20WLToon – I can see both sides of the topic too and I think it’s a matter of personal preference. Nunez may or may not come to the PL this summer anyway. He’s had one good season and may want to stay in a more familiar league for another season or two.
DCL is only 25 and it’s only this season that he’s struggled with injuries. The medical team would do their own assessments but I certainly don’t think his injuries this season are a justification for writing him off. I can see the reasoning for Nunez being the more exciting option for sure, maybe DCL is just a better version of Wood after all, but I’d be happy with any quality striker this summer to be honest. DCL and Etikite?
lesh
May 19, 2022 at 1:34 PM
Comment #21Valle, TDS
If memory’s OK (and I doubt it), there were a couple of toon blogs around in 2007. Was there an newcastleunitedblog.co.uk, or an nufcblog.co.uk or even thenewcastleunitednlblog.co.uk???
This wasn’t the only blog around at the time.
ToonDarnSarf
May 19, 2022 at 1:37 PM
Comment #22Lesh – nufcblog.co.uk is still around. I think I visited it a few times when this one was overly toxic but that one was either toxic or half dead so I didn’t bother for long…
ToonDarnSarf
May 19, 2022 at 1:41 PM
Comment #23You can tell that I’ve been around a while as it was me who set up the first first Fantasy Football league for the blog…it was also me who set up the predictions competition for the very first time. 🙂
Mund
May 19, 2022 at 1:48 PM
Comment #24Samuel Luckhurst
@samuelluckhurst
·
41m
Dean Henderson closing in on a move to Newcastle. Understand he travelled to Newcastle for talks yesterday #mufc #nufc
CLINT FLICK
May 19, 2022 at 1:50 PM
Comment #25Tfs
I don’t really expect agreement, mate.
I just say what i see, about any/everything, really. Never been a follower, not about to be.
Dors dcl take pens, who’s he scored against? Is he an all-rounder, he’s just never made it on to my radar.
Wilson or dcl?
You don’t see baggage with english, particularly thru the england set up, players, really?
Ok!?!
For a start…they are invariably overpriced, overhyped, oversold.
S American players have fight, skill something to prove, that’s why the league’s littered with them.
How many english go abroad and excel?
Even the coaching here is dominated by overseas coaches.
Can’t be selective, mate.
valle
May 19, 2022 at 1:50 PM
Comment #26Lesh___ There wasnt allot when Ed first started though I was searching through the net for one since what I had found already wasnt enough
This blog was before nufcblog.co.uk and themag and all those. I think I was using nufc.com and the chronicle when Ed first made his blog, but I found it almost as soon as it was made (although I think I didnt write for the first 2 weeks or so) It has definitely gone through some changes, Im not even uncertain about that, and it might very well have been when this format we have now came around that all the old history got deleted.
The old blog Ed had didnt shoot out articles as fast as this one, and I remember that it was something that annoyed me when that started happening because I felt that it ruined the momentum of a conversation (Im ok with it now).
Ed will have to tell us, but my guess is that he started his first blog around 2005, just after Bobby was fired and before Souness were hired.
ITUNDERASHELL
May 19, 2022 at 1:53 PM
Comment #27Looks like a lone deal for Dean Henderson
https://the72.co.uk/273629/fulham-bournemouth-dealt-blow-as-dean-henderson-closes-in-on-newcastle-united-loan-move/
ITUNDERASHELL
May 19, 2022 at 1:54 PM
Comment #28Loan deal… silly
Mund
May 19, 2022 at 1:55 PM
Comment #29I mentioned it would be a loan and this 40M tag was BS
geordie157
May 19, 2022 at 1:55 PM
Comment #30Thought Ndicka played quite well last night, heard some good things about him, however he can lost concentration at times apparently. For 17mill though, definitely worth going for.
Calvert-Lewin, not sure on him, with Wilson being injury prone not sure we need another like that. Wilson overall is a the better striker too. Calvert-Lewin would cost a lot, for the money we could probably get someone like Isak.
Or….for less money Origi, as he’s bound to be linked again at some point.
ToonDarnSarf
May 19, 2022 at 1:57 PM
Comment #31CLINT – English players cost more because they’re proven in the league. It’s more of a gamble signing players from other leagues, especially ones that are less physical.
No, I don’t see more baggage with English players than other players, just that they get more focus in the media than others.
The reasons why more English players don’t go abroad?
1 – money
2 – language
3 – lack of interest in other cultures
4 – PL is the best league in the world
5 – complacency because of the above
Many (though obviously not all) South Americans are desperate to play in Europe to help them escape poverty and crime. Doesn’t mean they are suitable for the PL though.
hibbit
May 19, 2022 at 1:58 PM
Comment #32https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-transfer-henderson-newcastle-24003780
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
May 19, 2022 at 1:58 PM
Comment #333 players I said to avoid in January were Ramsay , Alli and De Beek
Proven 100% correct
Would avoid DCL for similar reasons think we can get better
ITUNDERASHELL
May 19, 2022 at 2:00 PM
Comment #34Henderson transfer again from Shields Gazette https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-uniteds-first-summer-signing-is-99-done-ahead-of-transfer-window-opening-3701003
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
May 19, 2022 at 2:00 PM
Comment #35@geordie157
I thought he looked good I liked Knauff as well
Although the standout was Bassey for Rangers he’s been amazing in Europe all season still only 20 he will be the next player to come from Scotland who does well in England although he was previously at Leicester
lesh
May 19, 2022 at 2:01 PM
Comment #36Clevelysbob
Responding to your post @19, you posted on a controversial and sensitive subject to some – that of gender identification in the context of women’s football.
https://www.nufcblog.com/2022/05/14/triggering-option-on-january-signing-may-not-be-a-foregone-conclusion/comment-page-4/#comments
You followed that with a another on a later thread referring to words to the effect of men men playing football pretending to be women.
Wouldn’t you agree that the matter of gender identification is also a contentious issue.
Since you’ve accused me of being a bit out there (whatever that.means), I must say I was surprised and disappointed to see such comments from one I’d always taken to be a political moderate but, I suppose that’s what life – full of surprises.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
May 19, 2022 at 2:03 PM
Comment #37Ten Haag has said he wants players who are not wanting to be at the club out by the end of the season so he knows what he is working with
So that would be good for us to get Henderson early
CLINT FLICK
May 19, 2022 at 2:05 PM
Comment #38Tds
Overseas players, not just SA’s.
English don’t travel cos…they cost too much, can’t speak another language, refuse to learn, have less skill, rely on muscle, have guile coached out.
Overseas players have changed the english game, for the better, other than the diving.
There’s a complacency that pervades the game here, from coaches, players, media, fans.
ToonDarnSarf
May 19, 2022 at 2:11 PM
Comment #39CLINT – and a seriously strange negative attitude towards some of the best players in the world just because they’re English. I’ve seen the likes of Kane, Owen, Rooney, Shearer, Beckham, Ferdinand, Gerrard, Lampard, and many others get a huge amount of credit and respect from those in the know and from football fans abroad yet the media and a sizable group of fans seem intent on bashing them for some reason.
Not enough English players even bother trying to play abroad (for the reasons that you and I agreed on) but many of those who have gone have been very successful: Sancho, Bellingham, Abraham are all recent ones. Beckham, McManaman, Hargreaves, and even Owen are other examples. There aren’t too many failures really just not enough of them actually. There’s the defender at AC Milan now too and I’m sure there are others being successful.
SholaShow
May 19, 2022 at 2:13 PM
Comment #40A new day and so much to talk about again. Indicative of the exciting times.
Looks to me like we may have 2 or 3 signings ready to be announced, perhaps before this month is even up.
Henderson – a loan with the option and not obligation to buy hopefully. Those reported fees of £40m if we were to sign him perm immediately seemed extremely fanciful, both from the selling club’s perspective and how we were so diligent and disciplined in negotiations in Jan, we’re not going to be taken for a ride and £40m for him would definitely be that.
Loan with option seems likely and would be very wise. He got Covid bad like Darlow and has barely played this season.
It’s strange how some players get a totally unreasonable value, real or fabricated by journos, attached to them.
Barely more accomplished than Woodman – one season in the PL and one England cap the only difference, yet one we will be lucky to get £10m for and this guy is been labelled 4x that. I guess its the “he plays for Man U so he must be very good” tax.
Tarkwoski – seems likely to be done fairly swiftly after the season end, might even come back to Newcastle with the team after the match on Sunday 😆
Paqueta – may not be so swift, imagine some wrangling with Lyon to be done. In Newcastle, I’m sure his agent would have been present too.