06 Jun 2026 15:45:03
I think our transfer plans have changed a little. Three midfielders was always going to be a push, but we'd have done it if any of Anderson, Tchouameni or Tonali has been obtainable. As it seems that they are not, it wouldn't surprise me if we 'just' got Mateus Fernandes and Ederson.

Those two plus Kobbie and Mount, with Thwaites and Fletcher being given some opportunities as 5th and 6th choice might just enable us to go big on Lewis Hall at left-back, for example.

1.) 06 Jun 2026
06 Jun 2026 17:03:07
Why have things changed?
Why would it have been more likely to be 3 midfielders if far more expensive players were available?

Not sure I can see where you are coming from, Downsie. What's your logic, pal.

2.) 06 Jun 2026
06 Jun 2026 17:53:35
Wouldn't be enough depth in that for me, Downsie. Mount isn't a midfielder either, same as Bruno.

3.) 06 Jun 2026
06 Jun 2026 18:47:25
Fernandes, Ederson, Mainoo, and Fletcher(s). Tyler has just been called up by Scotland. Perhaps we need to give him an opportunity. Maybe we add Hackney too to give us options, that allows us to spend money elsewhere.

4.) 06 Jun 2026
06 Jun 2026 20:34:38
Hopefully Fletcher plays well at the WC. It could really kick start his career.

5.) 07 Jun 2026
07 Jun 2026 07:54:29
I Want Our Trophy Back -
The logic is that we had an apparent £200m plus sales to spend this summer.

Plan A was Fernandes, Ederson and Tchouameni/Anderson/Tonali, at around £180m, and then a cheap, experienced striker.

But, seeing as though those three elite options aren't available, I think we've shifted to other positions.

By just bringing in Fernandes and Ederson for the midfield, and not a third, we can probably go and get a left-back and attacker.

So to throw names out there:
Plan A: Anderson, Ederson, Fernandes, Welbeck.
Plan B could become: Ederson, Fernandes, Hall, Barcola and Mateta.

6.) 07 Jun 2026
07 Jun 2026 09:04:58
When were those plans published and made public by the club? I'm not sure they were.

7.) 07 Jun 2026
07 Jun 2026 10:43:44
Fernandes is just a rumour, plenty of other teams want him, so we should stop talking as if he is confirmed.

8.) 07 Jun 2026
07 Jun 2026 11:44:42
I think the club are reacting to the transfer market more so than changing their ideas.

Anderson was the top target, but with Forest staying up and with him favouring a move to to City it doesn't make sense to spend in excess of 100m on him.

Beyond him there aren't many other players who are worth close to 100m, his combination of age, being British, and his talent make him one of if not the only one worth considering paying that sort of fee for.

Carlos Baleba appears to have dropped down the list due to Brighton asking for too much for a player who has had a down season. While the club will expect young players to have peaks and dips in form, the question of why Baleba had a down season is a pertinent one. Was it just the typical tougher second season where teams know what to expect and are better placed to deal with a young player who broke out the season before. Or did he struggle due to mentally not being able to handle the pressure/disappointment of a failed moved. The former shouldn't concern the clubs but if it's the latter then it does bring into question his ability to handle the pressure at a club like ours.

Sandro Tonali was a player supposedly high on our list of options, yet after Gordon's move to Barcelona Newcastle aren't under as much pressure to sell and as such are demanding a higher price than we are prepared to pay for him. Under the new ownership the club are determined not to make the same mistakes as the previous administration and pay massively over the odds for players. We have since pivoted and signed a player with a very similar profile in Ederson for around half the price (granted he isn't proven in the EPL).

Other names we have been linked to include Adam Wharton, who the club feel is too similar to Mainoo to justify spending big on him. Which is a good sign the club are making more thoughtful decisions and planning beyond signing fancy names.

That rules out many of the bigger name, typically more expensive signings we've been linked with.

Tchouameni is the other name, but that feels more like it was a potential market opportunity at the time rather than a player the club had intended on pursuing this summer. While the current presidential situation at Madrid and new manager means that it won't be clear for some time whether Tchouameni (or any Real Madrid players) will be available, certainly not until after the World Cup now.

Mateus Fernandes is someone the club seems very keen on, but West Ham are demanding a huge fee for a club that is now in the Championship. His failure to make the Portugal squad means the club don't have to move as quickly with him as they won't have to wait until after the World cup to sign him.

Alex Scott seems to be the other name more recently linked, he's a similar profile to Fernandes and could be seen as an alternative if West Ham refused to budge on their valuation. Although as he's with the England squad (for the preparations at least if not the tournament) then the club will probably want to wait until after he's back to explore him as an alternative.

I'd imagine there are other options and I'd still expect to see us try and sign 3 midfielders this summer. However, beyond Fernandes and Scott I'd imagine our other options will be at the world cup so I wouldn't expect to see us sign any players who are playing at the World cup until their country exits the tournament.