4 Newcastle transfers dead in the water – Monday report
Recent days had seen seemingly realistic Newcastle transfers in the offing.
Rather than the usual players playing in weaker foreign leagues and apparently names picked at random, a series of links were published over the weekend suggesting players currently with English clubs were being targeted.
These included players with both Premier League and Championship clubs, as well as free agents and loan deals – a combination of the type of potential signings that most Newcastle fans envisaged would be likely this summer.
However, like some kind of Newcastle transfers grim reaper, one longstanding journalist covering NUFC has reported that four of these recent suggested deals are definitely not happening, unless Newcastle radically change position.
Craig Hope of The Mail says that he understands that a bid for Jacob Murphy HAS been made but that Norwich have dismissed the £8m offer out of hand and that the player isn’t for sale. Having scored nine goals and grabbed six assists last season, little wonder the Canaries aren’t willing to trade on the 22 year old at that price.
Wingers were in fashion in terms of recent transfer links but in three cases the man from The Mail says they aren’t happening.
Former Manchester City player Jesus Navas is now a free agent but with Newcastle fans asking whether stories of his imminent arrival were true, Craig Hope says there is ‘no chance’ and the Spanish international is definitely returning to La Liga.
The 21 year Adama Traore is another dead end where Newcastle are concerned, with The Mail journalist saying Newcastle aren’t willing to meet Middlesbrough’s valuation, whilst he also says a loan deal for Liverpool’s young winger Sheyi Ojo won’t be happening – once again because of the financial demands of the other club.
Not that Ojo has achieved anything of note as yet but if Rafa Benitez did think the player had something to offer, then not being able to get a basic loan like this over the line is a bit worrying to say the least.
In the past The Mail’s Craig Hope has been pretty good with his information on what is happening on and off the pitch, so not the best news on a Monday ahead of what could be another long week in terms of Newcastle transfers and any activity.
Again taking his comments at face value, no doubt there will be many of you thinking that you don’t really care whether any or all of these four don’t sign.
However, it is more the background message, that Newcastle are possibly not prepared to pay the market rate on players this summer.
Yes prices are going haywire but that is today’s reality, at some time you have to compete with the other clubs to bring in credible signings.
Craig Hope of The Mail via his Twitter account:
“Understand Newcastle United made an £8m bid for Jacob Murphy but Norwich have said he is not for sale. Sources say unlikely to be progress.
“NUFC have also asked about Adama Traore but Boro’s valuation of winger has all but put an end to the interest.
“And NUFC will not be revisiting loan move for Sheyi Ojo as LFC demands for deal are too high.
“And for those asking about Jesus Navas – no chance. He was mentioned a while back but accepted he’s going back to Spain now.”
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