Aymen Abdennour to NUFC?

[Aldridge Prior]

This rumour seems to have been gathering pace as several media outlets now reporting our apparent interest.

See the links below...

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/fo ... er-9893847" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://whatculture.com/sport/10-things- ... ennour.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://metro.co.uk/2015/08/17/newcastle ... r-5347567/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

His agent has also confirmed interest from England, although he stated that Serie A is his client's preferred choice...

“Abdennour will leave. Aymen wants to live a new adventure and there are opportunities for him in Italy, Spain and England.

“Serie A is his priority. This Italian championship pleases him greatly.

“He has already had a few contacts with AC Milan, for example, as with AS Roma and Inter Milan, who showed real interest.”


I hope there's at least some truth to this, if the board aren't trying to do anything about the three easy headers already scored against us this season then I'll be worried that we're in for another long season.

[Southern fairy]

I still don't think this one will happen.

Sorry

Would like to be proved wrong I guess.

[Aldridge Prior]

I still don't think this one will happen.

Sorry

Would like to be proved wrong I guess.

Neither do I, but it's something to hope for. I'm probably more excited that there's a glimmer of hope that Williamson could leave in the next 11 days.

Can you imagine a Willow-free squad?

[Chappy]

The only reason I could think of him coming here is to use us as a stepping stone to another big club in the Premier League... He's at Monaco so I'm assuming we're not able to offer him much more in terms of wages?

[Southern fairy]

I always have the balloons, party poppers, cake and ice cream at the ready for such an occasion!

[Mifune]

I'd rather a LB.

[overseasTOON]

I don't think this guy is the answer to our prayers.

[Southern fairy]

I want Raphael Guerreiro

[bodacious benny]

I'd never heard of him before yesterday.

[yoshiyella@St James' Park]

To be fair, Monaco owe us one after Riviere!

[Aldridge Prior]

He looks hard as f***, is tall, can head a ball and has no hair.

Total opposite to Colo.

[Over The Line]

I hope this happens but I think with Collo, Memba, Willo, Taylor and Dummet all on the books, we aren't signing another until at least 1 goes.

[Aldridge Prior]

I hope this happens but I think with Collo, Memba, Willo, Taylor and Dummet all on the books, we aren't signing another until at least 1 goes.

Maybe Ashley wants a replacement in before getting rid of Williamson, I assume he's learned from last season that our defence is shockingly weak.

[Holystone...]

He looks hard as ****, is tall, can head a ball and has no hair.

Total opposite to Colo.

...
What's there not to like?

[beatski]

I hope this happens but I think with Collo, Memba, Willo, Taylor and Dummet all on the books, we aren't signing another until at least 1 goes.

Maybe Ashley wants a replacement in before getting rid of Williamson, I assume he's learned from last season that our defence is shockingly weak.

don't need to do that, we've got 5 cbs.

also, arent we filling our 25 man squad currently? (or did i imagine that?) so we'd need to get rid of someone first

[Over The Line]

Several clubs – including West Ham, Aston Villa and Barcelona – are said to be tracking the 26-year-old, and Goal report that Newcastle have joined the race to sign him.

One of these is not like the others.

[Aldridge Prior]

Maybe Ashley wants a replacement in before getting rid of Williamson, I assume he's learned from last season that our defence is shockingly weak.

don't need to do that, we've got 5 cbs.

also, arent we filling our 25 man squad currently? (or did i imagine that?) so we'd need to get rid of someone first

We're only 1 CB better off than last season, if Mbemba and Colo are injured/suspended then we're down to Dummett and Willo, assuming Taylor is nursing a broken head or something.

I fully expect the board to be looking at another CB to avoid what happened last season when at one point we didn't have a single recognised CB available.

Edit: Back to my original point, if we have a quality CB instead of Willo to call upon, then we're much better prepared to cope with injuries.

[Over The Line]

If we signed another CB I'd be very happy with the transfer window.

There are always areas we can strengthen, if there isn't then we'd be winning the league.

[Southern fairy]

With Colo seemingly Captain Fantastic and undroppable, I'm not sure how McClaren would be able to bag a top CB and promise him a starting role.

Having said that, you sometimes get 'club captains' that don't start week in week out, so I'd be pleased if one was brought in with the intention of having the three battle it out for the two places. Chelsea, City, Spurs, Liverpool do it so why can't we?

[Aldridge Prior]

With Colo seemingly Captain Fantastic and undroppable, I'm not sure how McClaren would be able to bag a top CB and promise him a starting role.

Having said that, you sometimes get 'club captains' that don't start week in week out, so I'd be pleased if one was brought in with the intention of having the three battle it out for the two places. Chelsea, City, Spurs, Liverpool do it so why can't we?

Mbemba can play RB too remember, so I've no doubt he'll get a run out there while Radgemaat is inevitably suspended again. And we'll need to rotate our backline for the cup games, which Ashley and McClaren have both said are a priority.