MSvillain

12 minutes ago, HalfTimePost said:

It could also be he wants more wages or assurances than we can give him. 

Let's say he's on £60k a week now and he wants £100k, we may just want to ensure he's at that level, or go back and say look £80k is the level and not overpay. Or he wants assurances he'll be played as an 8 and not spending 20 games a season as a 6 when he's better further forward.

He seems content enough, he's actively come out last summer and said he's happy here, it doesnt necessarily mean he's leaving. It seems most likely but there could easily be other things in play.

Yeah that's true, that wasn't me getting on his back, hope he stays long term!

I don't believe that we haven't tried to give him a new contract considering how proactive we've been with others , so I'm guessing he's not that bothered about sticking around long term.

1 minute ago, Steero113 said:

It's like people have totally forgotten that he got 7 goals and 7 assists in 29 starts literally 6 months ago. 

Couldn't make it up. 

Only 2 less G/A than Raphinha who was the breakout winger of the season, for comparison 

3 minutes ago, PerryBarrPet said:

And in turn why do you think this. All getting rather convoluted - ah well.

He's the 'throw a lot of shit at the wall and see what sticks' kind 

10 minutes ago, BleedClaretAndBlue said:

 

Not sure this guy knows anything unfortunately...

If Pep and their scouting team identified enough to bid £40m for him then our scouting team has identified enough in him, then that's enough for me 

5 minutes ago, Laughable Chimp said:

If his pedigree is so great and has bern practically first choice since he joined, why exactly is he being allowed to leave for such an extremely cheap price?

Could be as simple as they need the money and doesn't fit the managers style of play/formation

3 minutes ago, messi11 said:

Just waiting for Villa to announce our real midfield target. Rodrigo Bentancur is surely a smokescreen 

I've seen Accrington Stanley fans absolutely raving about their Centre Mid on the forums so hopefully it's him 

5 minutes ago, Delphinho123 said:

He’ll only be on £20k a week there though surely? 

I thought he'd be on more but you're right, they say £65k a week rising to £95k with incentives.

We should be throwing our hat in the ring at those prices 

5 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

On the one hand you have to question the character of any younger player that joins Newcastle. On the other hand with the money they will pay players can you blame them?!

4x his Lyon salary they say 

2 minutes ago, Delphinho123 said:

£30m, not a bad price. Wonder if we’d be interested? 

He must be on our radar at the very least!

11 minutes ago, paul514 said:

I find the midfield rumours perplexing.....

We need a DCM but aren't being linked to true DCM's more like 8's that can play that role defensively. It kind of points to a liverpool type midfield where they don't do much offensively.

Newcastle have apparently bid €40m for Bruno Guimaraes, another CDM option we could look at if bentancur falls through 

18 minutes ago, WallisFrizz said:

Well?

He did call Stevie G as manager quite early so I withdraw my earlier comment 

2 minutes ago, WallisFrizz said:

Where? 

On Netmums I imagine 

24 minutes ago, PaulMcGrath_5 said:

I wonder if he was rubbish then?

Point I am making is that football fans say loads of hyperbolic things all the time--best to watch him for yourself rather than judge off of a forum.

Means nothing mate, what does Pep guardiola know about footballing talent? 

9 minutes ago, PieFacE said:

I mean, we have an excellent midfielder for a manager. He obviously knows the qualities required to play the DM role. If he thinks Bentancur has the required traits to fill that role then I'm all for it. We may play him differently to how he's been played at Juve. 

It seems to me from all the reports that he's a good ball winner, but isn't necessarily progressive on the ball. Which is fine for us. We only need him to win the ball back and play it to one of McGinn, Ramsey, Coutinho or Buendia. 

Maybe Juve were expecting him to do more than we will ask of him? 

From what I understand he does have strong progressive passing stats, not dribbling though.

But as you says that's perfect for us either way.

1 minute ago, birdman said:

Fax machine. Everyone knows this is the only way to conduct transfer dealings. 

Gotta plug in the modem first too, all takes time 

Whatever happens, the stats are good enough that I'm willing to give the lad time and patience. Would've loved Bissouma to slot straight in but obviously we've tried for him and it's not possible

That Szalai lad from fenerbache was left out of their squad but he's a left footer so I'd assume we wouldn't be in for him

4 minutes ago, Steero113 said:

I would also be happy with any of the three you mention here. All great upgrades on what we have already. 

Although, I'm not sure we will be spending £40m on Bissouma, if he comes it will be for closer to £30m or not at all. The other two for the purported fees are unbelievable value. 

Absolutely.

My first choice would be bissouma, however I think bentancur/kamara are perfectly good alternatives at better price points

Evans softened his position a little...

https://twitter.com/greggevans40/status/1485922898183290884?t=q9MAEFdxQGYAmj_ngGqgyQ&s=19

In terms of the replacement stumbling block it sounds like they have two very capable mids out on loan who they may be able to recall

Just now, jacketspuds said:

Vlahovic is going to cost somewhere close to £60m. Even if they try to add Kulusevski to a potential swap deal they will still have to shell out a fair bit to get him.

The only way I can see us not signing Bentancur is if they sell McKennie to Spurs, which has been rumoured.

Can't see Daniel Levy wrapping up a negotiation this quickly; will start the bidding at £500k

Be interesting to see what happens as Bissouma, Bentancur and Kamara all seem difficult for individuals reasons; guess that's what happens when you are going for top tier players