looks like we are about to sign a new goalkeeper in Matz Sels from Gent. Perhaps Krul is going, Elliott is still recovering from his injury and Darlow will be competing for the jersey with the new boy. Wasn't expecting a goalie, but can see the sense in it. Reports say about 4 million and on Tyneside for a medical.
Krul will potentially bring in decent money and I think we can do without him. So if he goes and we bring in another as cover I can see the sense in that.
Phew, glad we got that sorted. Now just need to get in 3 left backs and Premier League, here we come.
Woodman to go out on loan, Krul to be sold? Leave's Elliot, Darlow (who I'd loan out as well with a recall clause) and the new guy.
Reports say that it was the Rafa factor that persuaded him to come. Other clubs had reported interest in him, including some PL, but it looks like we got in first. As l said, wasn't expecting a new keeper, but he looks really good and hopefully this is just the start of other pleasing signings. We should start seeing some movement transfer wise now, as Rafa had said he wanted the squad sorted and together asap, and definitely preparing as a team in pre- season.
He did say he thought at least two would quickly follow the first. We should end up with at least 4 before the Summer is out, but that's still a concern because I anticipate losing at least 6. That said, Rafa wants to give Mbabu, Sterry and Arma a chance.
Make no mistake, Sels will not be the beginning and end of United’s business. They know how it looks to be signing a goalkeeper first but Benitez would ask for patience on the other fronts. Work is being done to bring in outfield players and it’s very unlikely this will be the only move of the week at St James’ Park. Warming up nicely
Well he be first choice? Won awards in Belgium, and called up into the Euro qualifies squad, so certainly looks the part. Would be tough on Darlow if he gets pushed further back though, cos he's certainly done enough to start in the Champ. If we can get £8-10m for Krul I'd sell him in a flash, far too erratic these days, has the one incredible game and follows in with 10 useless games, time to ditch. Sels, Elliott, Darlow and Woodman seems very strong, starting at the back then building forward hopefully.
Oh no Benitez has caught the disease of focusing on all the wrong areas. Maybe he is so good that he has just decided he must have him and will offload to make it happen. Perhaps an offer has come in for Krul which will allow him room to manoeuvre. I hope so because right now this looks bizarre. It was literally the one position we had no desperate need.
The club have already acknowledged that signing a keeper first is an odd thing to do, but they have also said others will follow. Krul may well be leaving, he is also returning from injury, is he fully fit yet? Elliott is returning from injury and is not going to be fit in time to start the season So that leaves Darlow and Woodman, Darlow is fine, but needs cover, Woodman will probably go out on loan to gain experience. If Krul leaves then we are short. I suspect Sels is Kruls replacement and to that extent this is a good signing. Rafa is not going to risk losing him to one of the other clubs who have been linked with him, just because some think we should be signing players for other areas. He has said they will come and we need to trust. Personally l am happy enough to believe that Rafa knows what he is doing. Remember we have been relegated and the sums of money being touted around for players is scary. If we can persuade bright young talent to join us then we are doing well under what must be really difficult circumstances.
Being reported that Palace are preparing a bid for Townsend. Would he see Palace as a better bet? I wonder if he would. Also Palace to pay over 30 million for Mitchy Batashuyi (spelling) guess that's the telly money kicking in. I hope Townsend stays.
Agree with that, hope Townsend stays, wouldn't mind Tiote staying too if he continues where he left off, but l guess he will want one last big payday so will try to resurrect the China move. As you say, if their heart is not in it, we are better off without the others.
Townsend will be a bit of a dick if he does leave. Joins for 6 months, gets relegated then bottles it and ****s back off again to London.
If we hadn't been bothered when we played you'd have a point, but he gave a good account of himself - he was excellent and did everything he could to keep us up. At the end of the day he's a Premiership player, definitely not second tier, if he stays then happy days and he'll destroy the Championship. But we took the risk when buying him knowing he wouldn't want to play a league down and luring him in by having the clause in the contract. He was let down by those around him, getting relegated had nothing to do with him, he's well within his rights to walk.
I'd be disappointed to lose Gini and Townsend. I don't really get the lack of patience with Gini. He struggled and went missing a lot, but so did a certain Nobby Solano in his first 18 months...
Official: http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20160629/magpies-complete-sels-signing_2281670_5688230 Have to assume Krul is on his way.
Krul must be off. No bother if so. Sounds like this guy is decent and also Elliot and Darlow did well in the end last year.
