This week could be a critical week as Newcastle zero in on both Sven Botman and Hugo Ekitike. The pursuits of the duo have seen their fair share of twists and turns over the past six months.
There is a promising update this morning on Hugo Ekitike coming from Lee Ryder in The Chronicle. He is reporting that the striker, who turned 20 yesterday, is willing to cut his holiday short to push through a move to Newcastle.
Talks between Dan Ashworth and the player’s agent Karl Mwalako Buchmann have continued over the past few days. Ashworth is pushing to get the Frenchman to Tyneside for face-to-face talks.
As Ryder reported last week, Ekitike is seeking assurances that he will play a significant role in Eddie Howe’s first team this season. He does not want to be pegged as one for the future while riding the bench.
Newcastle have put staff on standby for a medical in the coming days in the hopes an agreement can be reached. There are still some details that need to be sorted including the dreaded agent fees.
There have been claims that his representatives were shopping him around Europe with Dortmund and PSG interested. Dortmund are looking to replace Erling Haaland who has signed for Manchester City.
The Bundesliga club have already signed the talented 20-year-old Karim Adeyemi from Salzburg. They have now set their sights on former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller. This could signal that Ekitike is no longer a target.
Ajax have rejected Dortmund’s initial bid of £28m. Fabrizio Romano is reporting they remain very confident a deal will be reached soon.
Borussia Dortmund are confident on Sebastien Haller deal. No issue on personal terms with French striker, while talks are in progress with Ajax about final fee and add-ons. ??? #BVB
Opening bid for €33m was not enough but Borussia Dortmund are on it.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2022
It’s looking very promising that Ekitike will finally end up at St. James’ Park. However, until he arrives for his medical, I’ll not get my hopes up too high.
25 comments so far
Pit yacker
Jun 21, 2022 at 11:49 AM
Comment #11st 1st maybe
Pit yacker
Jun 21, 2022 at 11:50 AM
Comment #2I am so childishly pleased to get a 1st
IrishRob
Jun 21, 2022 at 11:51 AM
Comment #3Don’t know what to think of this Pope signing, if it happens. Hopefully he’s better than I thought, but at 30 as well. Weird one!
cyprus
Jun 21, 2022 at 11:53 AM
Comment #4How does this Fabrizio Romano know so much about transfers?
8.8 million followers including Shearer and ASM.
Impressed, was just wondering.
cyprus
Jun 21, 2022 at 11:54 AM
Comment #5If he was on this blog we’d shoot him down soon enough:)
Mund
Jun 21, 2022 at 11:54 AM
Comment #6TheDrewid
I appreciate that. Thank you and apology accepted. I’m not one to hold grudges and I try to minimise as much BS in my life as possible.
I know I come across as a right arsehole at times and for that I apologise to you and to everyone else as that’s not my intention.
I’m a passionate lad and sometimes it boils over in the wrong way. I am trying to, like you say, not let emotion get in the way as it can come across the complete opposite of what’s intended, especially with txt. I’m guilty of that.
The last thing in my mind in wanting to bring to the blog is arguing and bickering. I hate it but I have a switch inside me that at times I can’t control but I am trying to not let that happen anymore.
Huge respect for you saying that and for anyone else who puts themselves out there when they don’t really need to.
Onwards and upwards
HWTL
Not another deJong
Jun 21, 2022 at 11:57 AM
Comment #7If the price is right, I think they want to update the squad with PL experience whilst adding one or two youngsters from other leagues. Keep the dressing room spirit as much as possible and get ‘buy in’ from others.
The Bard of Bensham Bank
Jun 21, 2022 at 11:57 AM
Comment #8How do Bettys,
I take it that post on the last thread was directed at me.
Wish I was Tsunki, then I’d be a bit more intelligent and have more spare time to come on here!
And on that note I’m off again.
😀
Mund
Jun 21, 2022 at 11:58 AM
Comment #910M for Pope is a good deal
I don’t think he is better than what we have tho and tbh GK was low on my priority list. I think next season we will bring in a big GK signing who can lead from the back
Wor B
Jun 21, 2022 at 11:59 AM
Comment #10Might have to retire the popcorn lady at this rate!
😳
Mund
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:00 PM
Comment #11😆
Davas
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:03 PM
Comment #12Mattroge from previous
I can understand you dropping off for a while.
Although I’m not on Twitter I used to read stuff on there but around Feb/March last year I’d just had enough of the kfa stuff on there and here so I took a break for 3 months. I was so hacked off with it all I didn’t watch much football either.
Happily it’s all turned out well. 😀
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:03 PM
Comment #13£10m for an England International PL GK is a snip. He’s comparable to Dubravka but it strengthens the squad, and I reckon he’s ever so slightly a better shot stopper than Dubs.
If we’re signing a GK (which is low priority) that must mean that we are well in hand with regards to our other higher priority targets (or am I reading that way too optimistically? lol)
The Mighty Quinn
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:04 PM
Comment #14I would have Pope, decent Premier league experience so you know what you’re getting. The only thing I would ask is, is he any good with distribution with the ball at his feet and starting attacks from the back? Try not to watch Burnley if I can help it but judging by the way they football I’d hazard a guess at no.
Toon_Barmy
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:07 PM
Comment #15Why are people having kittens over Pope being 30? He’s got 6+ years of being a top, top keeper in him. Outstanding goalkeeper and for rumoured £12m? Yes please
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:09 PM
Comment #16Way too much emphasis is placed on GK distribution in my opinion. I want my GK to command his box, be physical, stop shots, be quick off his line and communicate with his back 4.
Playing a 50 yard pass on a sixpence is an added bonus but not a red line for me.
The Mighty Quinn
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:10 PM
Comment #17Goalkeepers can play into their 40’s, think Pepe Reina is still playing for Napoli so 30 years old in my opinion is still young.
Wor B
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:11 PM
Comment #18Just had the popcorn lady’s union rep on.
Retirement / redundancy is out the question at the moment but some sort of part time / emergency call-out agreement looks doable.
The Mighty Quinn
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:14 PM
Comment #19A goalkeeper should be able to do all those things you mentioned and have good distribution. Not many teams play the style of football, where the goalkeeper just hoofs it as long as he can in the hope a big man can get his head on it.
Toon_Barmy
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:15 PM
Comment #20How do we know Pope has poor distribution? Can’t say Burnley were renowned for playing out from the back with ball playing cb’s
Novocastrian66
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:20 PM
Comment #21Toon-Barmy; just have a look what Ryan Fraser did to Pope a couple of years ago. I don’t rate Pope. Is he better than what we have? I’m not sure.
I think he flaps with ball at his feet.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:27 PM
Comment #228 to 12 million for Pope would be pretty unreal business if true again proving there is decent value to be had if you are willing to shop about.
Targett was a pretty reasonable deal
Now if we add Ettike and Botman that’s your young players from abroad that have a structure to help them get used to the league without being dropped in straight away
Then we need a right winger and a creative midfielder to go with that I think that would be just enough squad changes that wouldn’t upset the apple cart too much
clinath@ed
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:50 PM
Comment #23Ruddy.
I think the modern goalkeeper has to act more of a sweeper, and the ball control/passing range is more linked to that.
Re. Man City
magicmac54
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:53 PM
Comment #24If this news is true about us signing Nick Pope i would be simply delighted as he is a top class Keeper and better than Dubs in my opinion, i was very disappointed when we missed out on Gavin Bazuna, but i had confidence the owners would still get another quality keeper, and make no mistake Nick Pope is a quality keeper with tons of premier league experience HWTL
Bills Son Is Back
Jun 21, 2022 at 1:05 PM
Comment #25Pope for £8M-£10M?
Absolute bargain.
Experienced Prem keeper, England international and 3-5 years of top class play left in him.
Eddie obviously doesn’t rate any keeper other than Dubs and therefore it is absolutely essential we have two top keepers.
If Pope signs that’s what we’ll have – with no real worries if one gets injured.
Neither might be absolute top class, but when you look at Azpilicueta at £50M…
Pope is a steal.