Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has given an interesting interview with Wettfreunde, a German-based betting tips outlet. One of the many topics raised was Newcastle’s summer plans.
Romano first confirmed that Nick Pope was practically a done deal. The goalkeeper is expected to wrap up his £10m move today with a medical set and personal terms hashed out.
His information on Hugo Ekitike mirrors what Luke Edwards reported earlier in the week. An agreement with Reims has been reached. However, there are still issues with agents’ fees and Ekitike has yet to green light the move.
As the outlet is based in Germany, the reported interest in Dortmund winger Thorgen Hazard was raised. The 29-year-old was linked with Newcastle earlier this week with an asking price of just £12m.
Romano believes the Belgian is on Eddie Howe’s list of targets. However, he doesn’t think anything is close saying:
“Thorgan Hazard is one of the options they have on their list. But so far it’s not a thing that’s going to happen anytime soon, nor is it far advanced.
“I’m sure Newcastle will take their time.”
Finally, Romano added this little nugget of information on Leeds winger Raphinha, who is strongly linked with Barcelona with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Spurs now circling.
“And I can tell you one thing. Newcastle are among the clubs that could make an effort to sign Raphinha.
You are very ambitious in the market. Raphinha is one of those players they dream about. You also dreamed of Darwin Nunez.
But they knew it was going to be impossible once Liverpool jumped on the deal. But it shows Newcastle are trying to find players with such skill. A top player who could come to Newcastle. But I think it would be more than difficult for Raphinha as there are other clubs in the running.”
The Brazilian is likely a bridge too far at this stage in Newcastle’s rebuild. He’ll cost north of £50m with some serious competition for his signature. Newcastle are likely a distant proposition for the 25-year-old.
The Mail’s Craig Hope has backed Romano’s claims this morning. Like Romano, he sees the competition and cost as major obstacles.
Re Newcastle & Raphinha… they like him & they have watched him (inc. final day at Brentford). I get the impression they would love to sign him. But cost/competition likely to prove prohibitive. #nufc #lufc
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) June 23, 2022
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64 comments so far
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:03 AM
Comment #1No to Hazard, any of them thanks.
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:03 AM
Comment #2Also… bosh!
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:08 AM
Comment #3Have I broke the blog?
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:09 AM
Comment #4Appears so….
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:09 AM
Comment #5Oh well lets see how long I can keep it going
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:09 AM
Comment #6One more?
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:09 AM
Comment #7Why not eh? Let’s go for seven in a row.
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:10 AM
Comment #8Can I make it to eight?
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:10 AM
Comment #9He shoots, he scores…what’s the record again?
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:10 AM
Comment #10Can I make it to double digits?
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:11 AM
Comment #11I can, and I will. Please will someone put me out of my misery.
barkel
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:11 AM
Comment #12keep it goin son! … ah sorry
we want the type of player that wants champions league football, unfortunately those players want it immediately and not in a few seasons
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:11 AM
Comment #13Anyone at all? Please…I am begging you.
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:11 AM
Comment #14Ah God bless you barkel, I thought I’d be here all day doing that!
Legolas
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:12 AM
Comment #15I think Cyprus hit the nail on the head earlier. I don’t/didn’t see much in it between Darlow and Dubravka. Dubravka possibly edges it. But, I think Pope is a cracking keeper and definitely an upgrade. Welcome to the toon.
Tom
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:13 AM
Comment #16https://www.90min.com/posts/newcastle-united-pull-out-of-hugo-ekitike-deal
Mund
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:13 AM
Comment #17dazzler
Trap…? What trap mate…?
Romford mag
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:14 AM
Comment #18Looks like we might have pulled out of ekitike deal ?
https://twitter.com/GraemeBailey/status/1539897807091519488?t=iDZpoJkHiUKyMSbUjQDb9g&s=19
Bills Son Is Back
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:14 AM
Comment #19On ASM again…
My concern is that if he doesn’t perform next season, or if a new wide signing takes his place, his value could plummet,
That’s why I’d sell him now and buy a player who has the proven goals and end product that ASM lacks.
I get that it’s a gamble either way…
Sell him and he is coached into a world beater…
Or keep him and he drops in value if he doesn’t step up.
But…
Management is about making the tough decisions and if I was Howe I’d sell him and use the money to buy Diaby, Raphina or the like.
Mund
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:15 AM
Comment #20Agents ruining the game…
If it’s true we should hear more in the coming hrs…
Graeme Bailey
@GraemeBailey
Understand that Newcastle United have pulled out of Hugo Ekitike deal.
Everything was agreed with Reims and the player’s personal terms – but the agent was demanded extra payments amongst a number of things, and the deal is now off.
Raj of Hailsley
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:17 AM
Comment #21So when to believe all the click bait BS. It’s a bloody circus.
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:18 AM
Comment #22Mund,
Just a joke mate.
Ian Toon is a notorious blogger from Christmas past who had multiple accounts and was caught conversing with himself over his various accounts when he forgot to log out of one of them.
Raj of Hailsley
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:19 AM
Comment #23Ace50,
A second on your bit of news last night.
CLINT FLICK
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:19 AM
Comment #24Who controls the agents?
Raj of Hailsley
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:19 AM
Comment #25dazzler,
The very word divisive has brought him back to life.
Tom
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:20 AM
Comment #26https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/20230099.newcastle-united-signing-goalkeeper-nick-pope-burnley/
Mund
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:20 AM
Comment #27dazzler
All good mate
Everybody is near enough txt to me bud 😉
Respect all minus a few
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:21 AM
Comment #28Surely the agent fees were known early on in the process of negotiating personal terms unless I am way off. I would have thought they were agreed when the salary, bonuses and signing on fees are agreed, no?
Or is this the agent trying to ask for a backhander after everytthing was agreed to ensure Ekitike signs for us and not PSG or Dortmund?
If it’s the latter then good on the club for walking away.
Bills Son Is Back
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:22 AM
Comment #29My opinion early doors on here was that agents fees could be a problem with Etikite.
If he signs a 5 year deal and turns out to be real star we are no longer a club that needs to sell its best players – for any price.
That means no agents fees for 5 years so my fear all along was that a massive agents fee would be asked now – and that seems the case.
This problem could apply with other potential signings as well.
If Etikite wants to come the deal might not be dead yet.
Raj of Hailsley
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:22 AM
Comment #30dazzler,
I don’t think hearts were about when Ian Toon and his alt and ite army were in their pomp, but by jove expect to see some heart manipulation on levels never seen before. OLG’s physcedelic heart machine is going to look 20th century when IT cranks his up 😆
Tyran21
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:23 AM
Comment #31I don’t understand what’s with this agent’s fees bullshit? Some under table payments to pave way? I’m just reading it as “Ekitike has yet to green light the move.”
CLINT FLICK
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:24 AM
Comment #32Dazzler
Aye
Surely, agent gets an agreed %.
End of…
They try to change the numbers, everyone laughs, then ignores them?
That would be my strategy!
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:25 AM
Comment #33Raj,
I don’t think Ian Toon was a divisive poster, I remember he was pretty much disliked, universally. I wonder if we’ll see any of his alter-egos making an appearance.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:27 AM
Comment #34I still love Kets!
Are we sure we got the right Pope, I heard that Pope Francis may be leaving his role.
Just asking, for a Pug, as £10M is ridiculously cheap for the ex Burnley player..
Straight in as #1 . A bit of a shame, as Dubs never let us down. That is top level sport!
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:28 AM
Comment #35Raj,
I notice he only has 7 hearts on his post, maybe he needs to charge it up first!
Tyran21
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:28 AM
Comment #36Bills Son Is Back
If Ekitike wants to come, he can reject all other contract offers. The agent have no choice then. I’m sure Botman and Ekitike are both sitting on the fence and keeping options open.
Raj of Hailsley
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:30 AM
Comment #37dazzler,
He’s just started it up and is meddling with the controls as we speak 😀
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:31 AM
Comment #38Brentford can ask £50m for Toney, they will not get it. A good championship player, not quite top end Premiership. Think Mitrovich, Gayle etc
dazzler
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:31 AM
Comment #39Sir Pugalot,
Dubs let us down loads by getting injured almost every pre-season and leaving us with Darlow or Woodman. He’s always got a few clangers in him too (no doubt Pope has too), but if he’s happy to warm the bench this year (and play as #1 in Europa next year *fingers crossed*) then I think we should keep him.
I can’t imagine being second fiddle has a massive impact on his international career.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Jun 23, 2022 at 10:33 AM
Comment #40“That’s the story of my life, no respect, no respect at all”
That Rodney Dangerfield is a class act.