Sesko won't happen - price went out of control with that Liverpool goal and Man U's interest. What is exciting as we've seen from Maddison that there's a bunch of options being pursued that haven't even hit a radar yet. It's funny, actually, when you look at the fantasy league listings how rare a decent centre forward is. Not doing the likes of Antonio, Watkins or Vardy a disservice, but none of them are particularly exciting names and the list gets worse as you keep going down. Broja stands out, mind, but I reckon Chelsea don't want to sell yet and are preferring another season loan somewhere but their issue is most teams have just invested in strikers. They may just keep him as they'll have lost Lukaku and Werner. I think the approach for Maddison - or indeed if there's interest in Tielemans and Paqueta - is the right one. He's very versatile and would allow us to control tempo from midfield far better, be a great role model for Anderson as well. We've seen from the friendlies that Willock's not great, Longstaff is worse and Shelvey's style of play isn't dynamic enough. I could easily imagine one of the first two being sold if we get a midfielder, and we'd get £20m for either (believe it or not). I think it's looking very likely we'll end up with a CM, RW and CF before 1st September. If we can rack up a few points before then and 'have a go' at the top two, we might just make it all the more appealing for players. Think we're then just a right-sided CB away from being a top 4 side.
Too long, but did read. My thoughts: - Sesko is a gamble for anyone given his age, hope Man U sign him so he can be yet another overpriced disaster for them. - if we're going in for Maddison, then Harrison would now be a let down, just reach a deal for Maddison. - Maddison also favourable to Paqueta cos Maddison is the established Prem player. - Broja will leave Chelsea, as soon as a player starts being loaned out there, they never come back into the first team. - Willock's not great? He's clearly more than capable as a first team player, regardless of a few crap friendlies. - Maddison plus safe bet CF (Dennis, Werner, Broja Toney) and we're rocking
Agreed on Sesko, agreed on Harrison. Would be utterly delighted with Paqueta or Maddison, I'm not fussy!! Chelsea have to suck it up on Broja. I think we will end up with him, to be honest, because there's just a mass shortage of options and he looks easily the most viable. Might just take an extra week or two while he works out he's not in their plans! Willock's ok, he just can't help dictate a game and was more suited to the old, counter-attack Newcastle than a Newcastle wanting to get their foot on the ball.
We won’t get Maddison. Leicester will make other sales like Fofana, Kasper etc.. they won’t want him coming to a team they’ll see as a rival next season & especially at the price we’re offering.
So, looks like the initial offer was around £35m plus add ons. The second was around £40m plus add ons. It'll need to go a fair bit higher than that you would think, but folk like Pete Graves are now repeating the lines that nufc are firm in their valuations of players and won't pay over the odds...
That line might have worked if the whole world didn't know we were prepared to pay £30m for a teenager nobody had heard of.
If we get rid of Dubravka as part of the deal, do we sign a 2nd goal keeper? If Pope gets injured... then it's Darlow...
