A Suddenly Shrewd Transfer Strategy

During transfer season, a week can change everything. Newcastle looked to head into the new season with only Yoan Gouffran and Shola Ameobi to lead the line. But after Papiss Cissé sorted out his Wonga-related dispute, and Bafétimbi Gomis and Loïc Rémy apparently on their way to St. James' Park as we speak, the striker situation now looks shockingly deep. Credit a player acquisition process that most fans had mocked for the last 12 months.

As supporters, sitting far from the boardroom and negotiating table, it's easy to exhort Mike Ashley and company to stop haggling and pay the sticker price for players. But in the case of Gomis, taking a hard line was the right strategy. Gomis was determined to leave Lyon, and for whatever reason, seemed to have his sights set on Newcastle. His contract was up next year, so Lyon faced the possibility of getting nothing for him. And given the club's perilous financial situation, that's not something Jean-Michel Aulas was willing to accept. So despite the posturing, he gave in, agreeing to the previously unacceptable €8 million offer.

While the €2 million savings doesn't seem extravagant, it's almost exactly the reported loan fee that Newcastle is paying QPR for Rémy. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but maybe it isn't. I'm personally torn about signing a player with rape charges hanging over him, but there's no debate about Rémy's talent. The only question now is finding a way to keep the various forward options happy, as they can't all start together every week.

Patience is difficult for fans to cultivate. After a dour, disappointing season, a methodical summer can feel like slow torture. But when thinking about the players that have joined the club in the last two seasons, it's foolish to say that Ashley won't, or can't, bring in the needed talent. Similarly, Alan Pardew's emphasis on player fitness shows that he recognizes one of last year's most glaring flaws. Many of us have spent the summer dreading what would happen when the Premier League started again in August. Now, honestly, I can't wait. 

Comments

[geordiepat]

If the 2 rumoured deals go through Matt, how do you see Newcastle lining up - with every player fit and available (unlikely as that sounds at NUFC) ? If Remy represents the final piece of the feted 4-3-3/ three prongued attack, are we to assume the likes of Jonas, Anita, S Taylor, Marveaux, Tiote - even Gomis, will be happy with bit part roles off the bench (with the world cup on the horizon). Something has to give surely?

[R O'Donnell]

Matts post @08:08 AM covers almost everything except the deliberate delay in getting players signed up. Mike Ashley is a very shrewd man as the average players wage per day for Newcastle must be around £6,000 per day x 20 days delay =£120,000 saved, so any delay is beneficial. Similar with the very early selling, clear out or contract release or loan, is equally beneficial to Ashley's "black bag" ,=get rid quick policy saves similar amounts. Business is business ! I like the guy, his close "friends" seem to be the problem, and maybe JFK was hired to get rid of Lambias and not Alan Pardew. (footballer exchanged for a financial manipulator, right decision but chose the wrong footballer !)

[Matt]

geordiepat: If both moves do end up going through, I'll post about how Pardew may choose to line them up. Have to think about it myself for a few days. It's a good problem to have, though!

R O'Donnell: Interesting point about the savings from waiting to sign players. Pinching a few pennies here and there can help fund cheap deals like bringing people in with six months to go on their contracts, as was the case with Sissoko and Gouffran this past January.

[geordiepat]

Look forward to that Matt. I'm cautioulys optimism too, despite the lack of a productive (as I write this) transfer window. Remy's legal issues aside, lest we forget he practically jilted us at the altar in January. But then again he is a good fit for Pardew's favoured 4-2-3-1 system, and I have to begrudgingly admit it makes tactical sense to have him onboard.