OTF

And 68 of those were under Bruce.

Hello my old friend Robin.

Wonder no more.

We're up to three quarters of a leg and half an arm.

Jesus was £45m, Richarlison £50 potentially rising to 60 with add-ons allegedly. We're already in the ball park. With our Brazilian connections I'd have prefered Jesus, though his wages would be higher. I think that where we're in a good position with Maddison in that he has a proven record in the prem but won't be on exorbitant wages.

We didn't get the play by play on that, there was little said before it was effectively confirmed is my recollection. Once it's in the 'media' brinkmanship comes heavily into play with neither party wanting to seem the weaker in the dealings, especially when they're both in the same league and more or less competing for the same places. Whether or not Maddison wants to go is probably the most crucial factor as they'll possibly see this as their best chance to see him for the maximum profit. Given I'm now an expert on amortisation his value on the books for Leicester is only 8m so on the balance sheet a sale of 50m is a huge boon. If he stays another year and refuses to re-sign they risk that differential dropping notably with the balance of power swinging further in the players balance. This past season was by far his best as far as numbers go so there's also the possibility that he has a markedly less prolific season and his value declines. As far as his value for us goes I'm not sure whether he would work that well with Wilson, possibly better with someone with explosive acceleration who can work with sharp interplay. That said in our side Wilson has scarcely had the chance to work with someone like that and now he has Bruno and potentially Maddison so perhaps I'm not giving Callum the respect he deserves assuming the clumsy crock is not injured.

Exactly. We're not going in cold, there's been some indication that he'd be interested. Furthermore Leicester and/or the player's agent wouldn't have leaked news of the bids if there was no chance of it happening - this plants thr idea in Leicester fans heads, softens the blow if he leaves and potentially nets them a little extra in the fee being offered as now if he doesn't come it reflects somewhat poorly on Newcastle. That said I think 50m is a fair valuation from what I've seen. Perhaps a percentage of the fee when we sell could entice it to go through.

That probably says it all given how focused on analysis and statistics Howe is. If he starts with Dubravka it will be through loyalty and continuity but Pope will win out in the short to mid term and be our first choice keeper. With that in mind if Dubravka can be used as a make weight to improve our tram elsewhere then I'd not have a problem with it. For his sake I'd rather him play elsewhere than sit on the bench here.

Dubravka hasn't been the same since returning from injury IMO. I'd have the level pegging only because I've obviously seen not as much from Pope. Distribution and composure will be the most important factors for who prevails. In that order.

Is that entirely accounted for under ammortisation?

Especially knowing that we'll have vastly improved sponsorship and corporate income in seasons to come.

The inevitability of our business is what strikes me from the way we're moving. We have actual irons in the fire instead of imaginary ones. We won't be held to ransom, but when our interest is genuine we'll have genuine offers on the table. Even if our top targets aren't immediately obtained we've established a line of communication that gives us an upper hand in future negotiations. Take Maddison for example, he's now aware of our interest. Fast forward to January or next summer and with his contract nearing its final year he'll have a choice to make; re-sign with Leiecester who are on a flat or potentially downwards trajectory, go to Newcastle who are on the up with a view to lasting success or go elsewhere entirely. You're more likely to go with a known admirer if they have continued to grow than to take a chance elsewhere. We will sign some attacking players before the window closes, of that I am sure.

Don't buy into the crap that get spouted and the speculated values. Truth is we offered a structured £35m deal with £5m in add-ons and they're looking for £55-65m.

It hits her shoulder which is allowed. If I was German I'd probably feel differently, I'd definitely speak differently.

He's genuinely trying to improve his biggest areas of weakness also.

He has had sone heavy touches and some great ones.

Good first half, building some nice interplay and always looking to play it out.

If it was appropriate to do so I'd make reference to a former NUFC manager.

That said Maddison strikes me as someone who wouldn't attract serious interest from the top clubs. Then there's not a lot of clubs outside of them who will offer upwards of 40m for a player. Still expect him to stay there but 50m for him would be reasonable business IMO.

Whilst I'm struggling to conceive of a situation where they'd let him go for anything south of 60m you'd have to think there had been some consultation done prior to an offer being submitted. Ashworth doesn't strike me as a chancer throwing offers without there being a chance of it either being accepted or at least getting a ball rolling. Possibly a new contract for Maddison is at a stale mate there and he's indicated he wants to go?

Gordon. He cops some shit (often rightfully) but he's a big part of why they stayed up.

Different to Wilson and on the trajectory to be better is what I'm expecting.

Agree. On the goals front they probably don't mind having more goals scored as a result of the GKs generally being shorter and less adept at positioning themselves.