Fair point but depends on if it is a mutual agreement needed or if the club holds the power in that regard. If the former then the club don't have much power and can play hard ball and lose them on a free or make a sensible deal. What I'm saying though is they are more affordable than player's with 3/4 years left on a contract. Rice wouldn't go at E80m as per the trasfermarket site but WH have quoted £120m so there's a deal to be done in between probably whereas if he had 3 years left you'd be looking at more (and he'd be worth it imho). Dani Olmo for example supposedly worth £40m you'd probably have to pay £50m but with his contract up next year that's probably the top end of what you'd need to pay but he'll be worth more than that. Nevez at Wolves - would love him in as a CM - again £40m valuation and I don't think you'd have to pay much more than that this summer but if he had 3/4 years you'd be looking £50-60m
Definitely need to increase squad depth - we only have 14 players who have played in excess of 10 games in the PL this season. Suspect this is more down to lack of options rather than anything else and will need to be addressed ahead of additional European fixtures
Howe in press conference suggesting nufc looking at keeping 95% of our current players and making 2 or 3 key signings over the summer. So I'd guess x1 Szoboszlai/Maddison type attacking midfielder who can also play wings if required. x1 defensive midfielder and x1 left back (quality, but likely to be injury prone going by the rumours).
So if we keep most of our squad and get a new LB then we could have: New LB Burn Targett Lewis Dummett Manquillo (as cover) Ritchie? Pardew would be proud.
I can understand Dummett due to home grown I can understand Dubz as a very good serving choice But Ritchie? Nah
From his press conference: “I’ve held various discussions with Matt throughout the season, and, I think, first and foremost, he’s been very committed to Newcastle, and to the team and aims this season. I have said I desperately want to keep him next year. He's had issues surrounding his family, and the distance between him and them... But Matt's been exceptional, and I certainly hope he stays for next season."
Keeping 95% of our current squad literally means losing just 2 players. Take your pick: Pope Dubs Karius Gillespie Darlow Tripps Ashby Manquillo Botman Schar Lascelles Krafth Clark Watts Dummett Burn Targett Lewis Hayden Hendrick Ritchie Bruno Joelinton Willock Longstaff S Longstaff M Anderson Miley Fraser Murphy Miggy Wilson Isak Maxi Gordon Kuol Unless he is excluding some of those whose contracts are due to expire.
He's probably just thinking in relation to his typical match day squad this season and forgeting we've got almost twice that many officially on our books. Including some absolute dross, I may add.
