One of the most frustrating aspects of this window is breaking news from reports that directly contradict each other. Newcastle’s pursuits of both Hugo Ekitike and Sven Botman have been rife with pendulum swings.
Again this morning there are disparate claims regarding Hugo Ekitike. Lee Ryder reported that talks have progressed between NUFC sporting director Dan Ashworth and Ekitike’s agent over the past few days.
He added that staff was on standby for the player’s arrival should a breakthrough be reached. The hold-up is down to agents’ fees. By Ryder’s account, the 20-year-old is pushing to get the deal sorted.
The latest from The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards paints a far different and darker picture. Edwards is reporting the lines of communication have gone silent with no contact in the past week.
There are fears inside St. James’ Park that the Frenchman doesn’t want the move as calls have not been returned. Newcastle have, however, reached a full agreement with Reims for an initial payment of £12m rising to £26m.
The update on Botman is only slightly less worrying. Lille have refused to come down from their increased demands. A few weeks ago, Edwards revealed Lille raised the asking price to £37m after weeks of negotiating a £30m fee.
Botman, who is also on holiday, is keen on the move. AC Milan have not even matched Newcastle’s offer of £30m so appear to be out of the running at this stage. Botman is currently waiting on a bid to be accepted.
There are claims from France that Lille’s owners have grown frustrated with the lack of player sales. This has put president Olivier Letang’s job in jeopardy. Whether this impacts the club’s stance on Botman’s valuation remains to be seen.
Newcastle have now moved on to other options at both striker and center-back according to Edwards. They simply cannot expend any more energy on these two targets with preseason just around the corner.
Time will tell what happens moving forward. As Mehrdad Ghodoussi tweeted to a frustrated fan last week, ‘Patience is a virtue’.
172 comments so far
jane
Jun 21, 2022 at 1:57 PM
Comment #41football quiz question
what match is being played in Reykjavík at 2pm this afternoon?
1 point for the teams and 1 point for the significance
cheating allowed
Toon Sufferer
Jun 21, 2022 at 1:57 PM
Comment #42Some “journo” says Et the teacake is willing to cut his hols short to sign and another says “no no he won’t pick up the phone!” Make ya fricking mind up maaannn!!!
The Last Jedi
Jun 21, 2022 at 1:58 PM
Comment #43If we sign Pope Cornet etc I can just see likes of Merson etc laughing we were hyping big signings but ended up with relegated players from Burnley.
We obviously will have last laugh and finish top 4
Pottsclock
Jun 21, 2022 at 1:59 PM
Comment #44If we’re getting anyone else from Burnley after Pope, I’d like to see McNeil
Wor B
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:04 PM
Comment #45Thanks for your kind words Hibbitt, should have gone into Keswick for shopping and a beer, I’ll listen to her next time instead of traipsing up that fell. 🙂
Scott, no firm date for FPL start, but the estimated likely start is between 27.6.2022 – 12.7.2022.
ITUNDERASHELL
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:04 PM
Comment #46magicmac54
Jun 21, 2022 at 1:52 PM
Comment #40
Precisely good sir, a settled family man of good character with a burning desire to wear that shirt in Qatar. Great shot stopper and cross stopper who commands the box. Also rated as a very good sweeper who will add a new dimension next season.
Toon Sufferer
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:05 PM
Comment #47I think McNeil is pretty good but I’m greedy for Cornets goals. Wish we could get both but not at the detriment to getting Diaby coz he’s got more goals and assists in him.
Toon Sufferer
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:08 PM
Comment #48Has Merson ever been right about any of our signings before? Actually I couldn’t give 2 monkey’s ducks what that degenerate thinks or says haha!
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:19 PM
Comment #49Strangely, I’ve got the phrase “patience is a virtue” going around in my head to the tune of “Rhythm is a Dancer”
Try it, you can get as bonkers as I am. 😀
geordie157
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:19 PM
Comment #50Bored of the Botman and Ekitike talk.
However, Pope would be a good signing, would really intensify the battle for no.1 shirt. Sounds like Darlow might be off to Boro and Woodman is off to Preston. So Gillespie 3rd choice.
Like the Cornet comments but I’m hoping we get Diaby, if we don’t then Cornet would do nicely.
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:21 PM
Comment #51Patience is a virtue,
Having none will hurt you,
Etc. need the Bard to flesh it out 😆
hibbit
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:30 PM
Comment #52Bob i asked the wife and she came up with this !!
Everything comes to those that wait,
If they wait patiently…
If not on time, it may be late,
But comes eventually.
Of course, I may be wrong on this,
Completely out of tune…
But wouldn’t it be total bliss,
If SOMETHING happened SOON! ?
Time’s getting on, it’s flying by,
It’s here and then it’s gone.
In time, it’s bound to make us sigh,
As it goes on and on…
A minute here, a minute there,
An hour fast departs!
That’s quite enough to cause despair
And chill the warmest hearts.
I’d like to think that we’ve a chance
To get things right somehow…
Instead of this sad song and dance,
Why can’t we get it NOW! ?
Is it too difficult a task?
So hard it can’t be done?
Be PATIENT! ? That’s too much to ask!
Am I the only one! ?
Wake up! Get up and on the move!
Sort out this ghastly mess!
Unless we see that you improve,
How can we say, ‘God bless! ‘?
Snap to it! Please! Just sort it out!
There’s no time for mistakes!
If you don’t start, I’ll SCREAM and SHOUT!
So that YOUR patience breaks!
Denis Martindale
lesh
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:36 PM
Comment #53Bard
You’ve got serious completion.
,)
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:38 PM
Comment #54Brilliant Hibbit.
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:41 PM
Comment #55For any that don’t know what I’m talking about, listen to this,
https://youtu.be/JYIaWeVL1JM
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:43 PM
Comment #56Ear worm – it’ll be there for days…….. beware!
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:45 PM
Comment #57Must be Tuesday afternoon, it’s as quiet as a Nuns confession on here.
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:46 PM
Comment #58Is there something good on the telly I’m missing?
Ketsbaia9
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:46 PM
Comment #59Pope would be a decent signing for £10m. He has six good years left in him. Wood was an awful signing at £25m. I would get Cornet for £17.5m and play him at left wing back ahead of Matt Targett.
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:49 PM
Comment #60Tell you what, I’ve been loving Stranger Things series 4, almost every episode is movie length, bloody brilliant.
Part 2 starts next Friday (1st July) can’t wait.
Oh, and I was right about the massacre @ Hawkins. Got the outcome exactly right, much to Mrs C’s annoyance. 😆
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:51 PM
Comment #61Bloody hell, Kets with a flying tackle! 😉
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:52 PM
Comment #62Tom, hope you’re OK, give us an update when you can.
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:54 PM
Comment #63Going to change my avatar to Ketsbaia9, then go for the record 🙂
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:56 PM
Comment #64I’ve been very religious lately, I managed to get God, Jesus and Angel Gabriel into one post yesterday and have managed the Pope and Nun’s today.
I think I’ll burn in hell. 😀
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:57 PM
Comment #65Carltoon and all the St Cuthbert’s cast offs will be after me later 😉
jane
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:57 PM
Comment #66everyone’s googling my question.
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 2:59 PM
Comment #67Jesus, I’m boring myself now, and I’m so self absorbed, that doesn’t happen often.
I’ve got more attention from the Sky Community Forum. 😀
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:00 PM
Comment #68Hello Jane, I’d forgotten about that, never looked it up as I expected an answer before now.
Pottsclock
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:02 PM
Comment #69Is it the, Cod Wars 50th Anniversary Cup?
Adamn_92
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:05 PM
Comment #70If anything summed up football journalism, it’s this Ekitike saga.
‘Constant talks and cut holiday short to sign for us’
‘No contact for weeks’
Those conflicting reports sum up the media perfectly 🙂
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:06 PM
Comment #71FCI Levadia v Vikingur Reykjavik is at 8:30pm so it can’t be that one.
Champions league qualifier.
This afternoon has La Fiorita v Inter Club des Cales, or something similar, also a CL qualifier, La Fiorita are 1-0 up at the moment.
dazzler
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:06 PM
Comment #72Do Ryder and Edwards hate one another? One is saying the kid has his flights booked to come over and the other is saying the opposite.
Also happy with Pope, but would prefer Henderson.
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:07 PM
Comment #73Do I win..??
jane
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:07 PM
Comment #74yep it’s the first match of the 2022/23 Champions League
S.P. La Fiorita (San Marino) v Inter Club d’Escaldes (Andorra)
being played in Iceland!
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:08 PM
Comment #75Welcome back everyone, I was getting a bit lonely for a while there. 😉
niafron
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:09 PM
Comment #76@cleveleysbob
San Marino vs Andorra? Exciting…
The Prince's Mate
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:10 PM
Comment #77Ffs guys, c’mon let’s walk away…this is becoming ridiculous and we’re starting to look desperate and silly
jane
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:10 PM
Comment #78“Is it the, Cod Wars 50th Anniversary Cup?”
that’s next week in Grimsby.
TOM
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:10 PM
Comment #79Not long back from hospital thanks to everyone for their concern .
As i said yesterday i had blood in my phlegm , they put me thru loads of tests XRAYS blood tests they found out i have a blood clot on my lung due to having covid . they have put me on Warfarin to thin my blood to get rid of the clot and im also on Amoxicilin and Prednisone ( steriods ) . i was worried sick in the hospital but the nurses doctors put me at ease so hats off to the health workers.
so im gonna go to bed for a few hours never slept a wink last night
and thanks again to all for your concern .
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 3:10 PM
Comment #80Dazzler/Adam, it’s just rival papers seeing who can out lie each other the most, and when the dust settles they’ll have a pint and laugh about all us idiots that clicked on their every word.