TRANSFER WINDOW (Summer 2017)

Here is a summary of all things NUFC in the transfer market from this summer. It's seemed sure to be an interesting window with Rafa given the all clear to "...spend every last penny that the club generates from promotion, player sales and other means" (Mike Ashley).

And whilst there were plenty of moves in and out all at NUFC, other than the two guys to seem to run the show, would be left feeling very disappointed indeed.

(for transfers OUT of Newcastle United please see the bottom of this page)

IN

Jose Luis Sanmartin Mato (16/08/17, from Stoke City, £5m)

Next in is striker Joselu from fellow Premier League club Stoke. The 27 year old has hardly set the world on fire with just 45 goals in 175 games at all levels since turning pro. Rafa is said to be a long term admirer of the Spaniard however and after starting his career with Celta Vigo he joined Real Madrid back in 2009 before becoming a bit of a journeyman. At Stoke he didn’t hit the heights either and ended up on loan at Deportivo last season scoring just 6 goals in 24 games. Let’s hope this is his breakthrough move for everyones sake!

Mikel Merino (28/07/17, from Borussia Dortmund, £6m)

The 5th man in is Spanish U21 whizkid Mikel Merino. A bit part player in midfield for the German giants last season he played far more of a pivotal role for Osasuna playing 67 times, scoring 8 times. Signed for £6m the deal is an initial loan period to be turned permanent after a set number of appearances (not known). This one could turn out to be a masterstroke is the player lives up to his potential.

Javier Manquillo (21/07/17, from Atletico Madrid, £4m)

I guess we won’t know whether, much like Gamez signed from the same club last summer, this lad is here for cover or to be used more in anger. At 23 he certainly has most of his football ahead of him, but with only a handful of games from the Spanish giants and what are viewed a predominantly failed spells on loan at Marseille and in England first at Liverpool and last season at Sunderland this one is definitely a case of #InRafaWeTrust.

Jacob Murphy (19/07/17, from Norwich, £10m rising to £12m)

Another much needed arrival, this time in the form of wide man and U21 England International Jacob Murphy from Norwich. The 22 year old is hopefully not just one for the now but, with bags of promise, one who will only get better over time under Rafa.

With Gouffran now confirmed as gone we can only hope that this lad builds on the early promise he’s shown at Norwich, whilst with 175 games played at all levels, and over 100 in League One and the Championship, we need him to hit the ground running.

Florian Lejeune (04/07/17, from SD Eibar, £8.8m)

Rafa finally got his second new man in after quite a wait and what seemed like a drawn out process having seen the 26 year old linked with the club for a number of weeks. The French stopper had been a regular with his Spanish side last season Eibar to a respectable 10th place finish. At under £10m this one could prove a bargain as it seemed from last seasons performances that only Clark came out favourably judging on performances and use by the Newcastle boss. Most fans will still think a left back is needed whilst we are still of the view that a new keeper is also on the cards as Benitez looks to strengthen his defence ahead of next season. We’re not going to pretend we’ve seen this lad play but when the boss says he’s been looking at him for a while now that is good enough for us!!

Christian Atsu (24/05/17, from Chelsea, £6.2m)

Christian became Newcastle United's first signing of the summer when Rafa took the options to make his loan move from Chelsea of last season permanent by taking advantage of the 'buy' clause in the loan agreement. Atsu made a total of 35 appearances for Newcastle last season, scoring 5 times and picking up just the two yellows. His strike against Cardiff was once to cherish from last campaign and NUFC fans will be hoping that he can continue his development under Rafa to capitalise of some early promise.

For us this is a good squad signing but one suspects the Newcastle boss will be looking for a more proven talent to play on the flanks also in the coming weeks.

OUT

Loans Watch

Deadline day came and left. And whilst the incomings we’d hoped for didn’t materialise the exodus of players, supposed to open the door for new signings, did. The latest names to leave, this time on loan, were two who it seemed certain wouldn’t feature no matter what.

Tim Krul, perhaps surprisingly left on loan to Brighton. It appears to us that this seems very strange, loaning a player to potential relegation rivals whether we wanted him or not. Whilst equally weird was the last minute loan move out of Achraf Lazaar to Serie A side Benevento. This given it leaves an injured Paul Dummett as our only left back - or so it would seem as Haidara is nowhere to be seen.

And with Matz Sels and Adam Armstrong already shipped out on loan it would mean a total of 17 players sold, loaned out or released.

Grant Hanley (30/08/17, to Norwich City, £3.5m)

Grant did all that was asked of him during his time at NUFC. He may not have had many appearances, just 16 in all competitions in just over a season, but he will go with Newcastle fans blessings having helped us back to the Premier League last season. The small transfer fee and more significant reduction in club wage bill will all help assuming, with one day left of the transfer window, Rafa gets the money to spend. Thanks Grant!

Siem de Jong (28/08/17, to Ajax, £3m)

After an injury hit time at Newcastle United Siem finally left the club with just 26 appearances and 2 goals to his name in black and white. A player to promised much and whilst never the quickest always showed moments of class when he managed to actually get on the pitch. His time at SJP also saw him loaned out to PSV, where he played 26 times, scoring 6. Recouping £3m of the £8m we paid for him and getting him off the wage bill almost quite frankly seems like a good deal.

Emmanuel Riviere (26/08/17, to Metz, £2m)

Thank god for that. Having joined from Monaco back in 2014 for around £6m this one was a catastrophic failure. The Frenchman played 31 games for us in total during this time scoring just 3 times. Enough said. Take the £2m and run…

Lewis Gibson (27/07/17, to Everton, £6m)

Not many outside do the club, and quite frankly most fans, will know nothing of this 17 year old. At £6m it seems the club have decided to cash in on this centre half prospect to fee up funds for the short term. Only time will tell if this one was good business, but if it helps keep us in the Premier League next season it will likely be viewed as one step backward to take two forwards.

Daryl Murphy (21/07/17, to Nottingham Forest, £2m)

A sad but necessary departure as the 34 year old moves to Forest having done all that was asked from him at NUFC last season. A wonderful professional and deadly in front of goal when called upon Daryl is guaranteed a great reception as SJP should he ever return.

Kevin Mbabu (15/06/17, to Young Boys, circa £1m)

Kevin today joined BSC Young Boys on a permanent contract having been on loan with the side from Bern, Switzerland last season. The Swiss is thought to have joined for between £500k and £1m meaning NUFC will recoup most of the fee paid for the full back back in 2013.

Having made just 5 appearances in all that time at Newcastle, which included a load spell at Rangers during Mike Ashely’s brief flirtation with the Scottish club, the lad has found his feet in the Super League playing 27 times for the club last season weighing in with 2 goals and 3 assists.

Release List (09/06/17)

Newcastle United confirmed today their retained list for season 2017/18:

- Vernon Anita

- Sammy Ameobi

- Lubo Satka

- Haris Vuckic

- Yoan Gouffran

Not many will lose much sleep over those who are leaving the club. Whilst Lubo and Haris have only a handful of appearances between them it is probably Anita who would be the only one that some would think we should keep. Used 31 times last season Rafa obviously does not see him in his long term plans. Vernon leaves having played 155 times for the club, scoring 3 times having joined in 2012. His honest approach to games and work ethic will mean he will likely be fondly remembered by most Toon fans.

Meanwhile, next season will be the first in 17 years that Newcastle United has no Ameobi on the books.In truth Sammy never really made an impact at first team level and failed to emulate the cult status that his older brother will always have with those who follow the club.

The club had confirmed they are in discussions with Yohan Gouffran with a view to extending his stay at the club having joined way back in 2013 and being used significantly last season by Rafa, making 36 starts, 9 more from the bench and scoring 7 times last campaign. Alas, for the gaffa at least, this was not to be as the player latter confirmed in rather bizarre circumstances (see picture) that he had signed for Goztepe SK of Turkey.

Florian Thauvin (01/06/17, to Marseille, £9m)

An unsuccessful spell at Newcastle saw the frenchman loaned back to previous club Marseille last season where the player had a cracking season. And whilst NUFC had been quiet on the attacking midfielder’s departure the player himself confirmed that his loan deal had a clause that made his deal permanent once a handful of games had been played.

We understand the fee is around the £9m we previously payed for the player and whilst his form has dramatically improved with game time back in France the feeling is he just wasn't cut out for life in the English leagues. Not one we are particularly sorry to see go despite his 15 goals and 11 assists from 43 games in Ligue 1 this season.