Out of the blue we've been linked with a £5.2m signing of Marseilles centre back Nicolas Nkoulou, who's out of contract at the end of the season. If there is anything to this, this does sound like a very smart signing: he can play centre back or defensive midfield, so he can cover both Toby and Dier (two players we've been dreading getting injured or burned out all season), he certainly looks like he has the attributes to slot into Poch's system, and he's got a good level of experience with 250+ games for Monaco and OM as well as 68 Cameroon caps - so if we do sort out this deal (and I said "if") we'll improve our squad depth, have cover in a couple of areas, and the signing will mean we can sell Fazio with no worries.
It wouldn’t shock me if Levy works out deals with teams and agents to agree to make noises about wanting a player to get a cut of their increased price. Surprise me? Yes. Shock me? No.
99% of clubs in Europe would take N'Koulou for £5m, he's a very good player. I'd happily have him here, only problem is would he join knowing full well there's a fully established CB pairing who have so far been the best in the Prem?
I'm sure Khumalo went through the same thought process, yet he still put pen to paper in a surprising twist. So there's precedent...
Haha fair point, though in fairness Khumalo was pretty much an unknown and I think the chance to go from South Africa to England and probably triple/ quadruple his wages was too good to turn down, even if he knew play time would've been non-existent (did captain the reserves though ). N'Koulou is one of Europe's most promising players in his position and so is likely to want some form of guarantee of first team footy I'd say.
Stoke and WBA in early negotiations for Berahino apparently. If he was the only target in the summer then why didn't we go back in for him as soon as the window opened?
I'm guessing, but the 3 main causes are probably (in order of likelihood): 1. Peace has put a restraining order on Levy and/or is asking for an exorbitant price that just isn't worth it for a player with 18months left on his contract. If Stoke are indeed showing interest, Peace has the upper hand. He knows that he has to sell the Incredible Sulk pronto before his value truly plummets. I doubt he gives a toss who he sells to now that more than one party is interested. 2. See above. Pochettino strikes me as the type of manager to whom attitude and application are paramount to working with him. This is probably why all members of Kaboul-gate are no longer at the club despite their actions having very little to do with Poch personally. It's also why Townsend has one foot in the grave, and one reason why so much trust is placed in the likes of Lamela and Alli. A player who has essentially sulked for 4 months for a total of around £130k in wages for doing nothing just doesn't fit with Poch's philosophy. 3. We're on the brink of signing Messi for £2.5m plus Fazio.
He played for our under 18 side this morning. Understandably, he seemed below the fitness and stamina levels of the other players.
Newcastle have been very busy so far this window. Ashley's annual panicked shopping spree to save them from relegation? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35290127 Shelvey is a decent player and will add some drive to an often static midfield, but the £12m fee surely takes into account the January VAT and the fact that he has put on an England shirt once or twice?
That has to be one of the quickest offers of a new long term contract in the history of football. Fully deserved. "I'm 19, I have a lot to learn. And I can't think of a better place to do that."
