Transfer Roundup: Stay, Go, Who Knows?

With Newcastle United dropping down to the Championship and Rafa Benitez being handed the reigns to all “footballing matters” at the club, it’s safe to say there could be quite a shakeup in the squad this summer.

In order to help keep track of all the comings and goings this summer, we have compiled all the latest pieces of news and conjecture in the hopes of making sense out of this summer’s silly season.

* All transfer values derived from transfermarkt the Chronicle’s CIES-based report
** Press and Player comments derived from the Chronicle’s Chris Waugh

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UPDATES

• July 1, 2016: Cabella and Townsend confirmed as Gone. Colocinni looks to be next out the door.

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Gone

Steven Taylor
Age: 30
Position: Center Back
Transfer Value: None (Free Agent)
What happened: Decided not to sign a one-year deal with Newcastle on June 3, 2016.

Remy Cabella

Age: 26
Position: Attacking Midfield
Transfer Value: ₤73 million
What happened: Transferred to Marseille (France) on June 20, 2016.

Andros Townsend

Age: 24
Position: Right Midfielder/Wing
Transfer Value: ₤13 million
What happened: Transferred to Crystal Palace on July 1, 2016

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One Foot Out the Door

Florian Thauvin

Age: 23
Position: Midfield / Right Wing
Years Remaining on Contract: 4
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤9 million
Interested Parties: Marseille
What he said: N/A
What the press is saying: “Marseille are keen to keep him but finances are tight, and Benitez is unlikely to want the winger. Another loan is likely to be in the offing.”
What I say: Marseille seems to be a financial mess but news coming out of France indicates Iranian investors may be looking to pump money into the club, allowing the sale of Thauvin to go through. Should he return to Newcastle, his future is extremely unclear although I would be shocked to see him sport the Black and White again.

Moussa Sissoko

Age: 26
Position: Central Midfield
Years Remaining on Contract: 3
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤11 million
Interested Parties: Moussa Sissoko’s imagination
What he said: I hope that today [Newcastle] will be smart enough to understand that to continue my development I need to keep playing at the highest level. As I want to stay in the France team I could not stay in the Championship. There will be discussions. I hope they will go in my opinion. I want to leave.” (link)
What the press is saying: “Again Benitez holds all the cards but, given that Sissoko has made his desire to leave clear, Newcastle will cash in if an appropriate offer arrives - though little-to-no firm interest has yet surfaced.”
What I say: Want-away players rarely make for successful players and Newcastle need all hands onboard for the upcoming campaign in the Championship. The real question is will any team meet the asking price Newcastle has in mind. I foresee a drawn out transfer affair similar to Cabaye’s.

Georginio Wijnaldum

Age: 25
Position: Attacking Midfield
Years Remaining on Contract: 4
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤19 million
Interested Parties: Roma, Napoli, Everton
What he said: “Every day I am being asked about my future, not just by journalists, but also by my friends and family. My first focus is the national team and then after the holidays I’ll see what happens. I’m working on it, but it’s not easy.”
What the press is saying: “The attacking-midfielder will attract plenty of interest and, unless Benitez decides Wijnaldum is too crucial to be allowed to leave, it appears unlikely we will see him on Tyneside come August.”
What I say: Wijnaldum is a talent, without question. However, he is a talent that was only visible in brief glimpses last season. It’s rare to think that a team could do without its leading goalscorer, but in this case, I think Newcastle would be best served by cashing in should a large offer come in. I think Gini is gone by the middle of July.

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Likely to Sell/Leave

Fabricio Colocinni

Age: 34
Position: Center Back
Years Remaining on Contract: 1
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤1.1 million
Interested Parties: San Lorenzo
What he said: “I want to return to Argentine football. I have one more year of contract but due to the club’s decline Newcastle now have another project. If there is a chance to return, the priority will be San Lorenzo.”
What the press is saying: “The 34-year-old should never have been handed a new deal last summer. Belatedly, 12 months on from when he should have gone, Coloccini will surely depart.”
What I say: Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Tim Krul

Age: 28
Position: Goalkeeper
Years Remaining on Contract: 1
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤3.25 million
Interested Parties: Crystal Palace, Juventus
What he said: “Everyone at the club will be fighting to get Newcastle United back into the Premier League where it belongs”
What the press is saying: “Krul’s future remains in the balance. He is, in theory, one of United’s saleable assets, but his current injury means potential suitors may be put off. Crystal Palace and Juventus have been linked with a move and he could yet leave.”
What I say: This is the most proven depth Newcastle has had at GK in quite some time. While Krul’s value might be below it’s peak due to his injury, he could still garner a decent sum. He has been a loyal servant but the money he could generate is needed elsewhere. Time to sell.

Daryl Janmaat

Age: 26
Position: Right-Back
Years Remaining on Contract: 4
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤5.8 million
Interested Parties: Juventus, Napoli, Inter Milan
What he said: Nothing as of yet, but the Dutch manager Danny Blind spoke on Janmaat’s behalf earlier this season and said “He wanted to be with us as he was dying to be in the spotlight, to attract another club in case Newcastle United are actually relegated.”
What the press is saying: “The Dutch international is yet to comment publicly on his future, but his agent has been touting him around for months - and Italian clubs such as Juventus and Inter Milan are reportedly interested. Highly unlikely to stay.”
What I say: Silence speaks volumes for me in this case. Daryl certainly didn’t do anything to endear himself to his teammates, fans and Rafa by fighting a wall and ruling himself out for the final stretch of the campaign. While he did feature, and score, in the last game against Tottenham, it felt more like a shop-window performance rather than one in support of the club. I think he goes.

Cheick Tiote

Age: 29
Position: Defensive Midfield
Years Remaining on Contract: 1
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤1.75 million
Interested Parties: Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough, West Brom, Turkey, China
What he said: N/A
What the press is saying: “The 29-year-old has long desired a lucrative move to a far-flung country, and he could get his wish this summer. Though Benitez rates him, it is hard to see the midfielder staying.”
What I say: I just don’t see Tiote wanting to slug it out in the Championship this year. While I agree that Rafa would value his experience in the squad, I see Cheick looking to cash in on one final transfer before he dings 30. Thanks for the memories Cheick.

Siem de Jong

Age: 27
Position: Attacking Midfield
Years Remaining on Contract: 4
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤2.5 million
Interested Parties:
What he said: “I think about everything. If the club says I may be sold or rented out, I look at all the possibilities. I’d rather not return to Holland just yet, although Ajax is always an option. I want to play again, get into a rhythm.”
What the press is saying: “De Jong could well depart this summer, whether on loan or permanently - a return to Ajax has been suggested as a possible destination.”
What I say: The injury-prone player (sound familiar yet?) has yet to garner any sort of regular game time with Newcastle and still remains somewhat of an enigma. While he might excel in Rafa’s 4-2-3-1, sitting just behind the lone striker, the fact remains that he just can’t ever seem to stay fit. In my mind, Newcastle is best served scrubbing the roster clean of all the injury prone players it can as it heads into the grind of the Championship. Back to the Eredivisie with you Siem.

Emmanuel Riviere

Age: 26
Position: Striker
Years Remaining on Contract: 1
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤2 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: N/A
What the press is saying: “Barely got a sniff under Benitez and has flopped on Tyneside; if they can somehow offload him, Newcastle will.”
What I say: I shudder when I think that Riviere is still earning wages from Newcastle. He can’t go soon enough. A must sell, although I fear he’ll bleed us dry until the bitter end due to a lack of interest.

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50/50

Paul Dummett

Age: 24
Position: Left-Back / Center Back
Years Remaining on Contract: 2
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤2.5 million
Interested Parties: Crystal Palace, Stoke City, West Brom
What he said: “It’s a massive boost for us to have a manager like him to be in charge,” the Welsh international said of Benitez remaining at the helm. “The experience he has can only be a massive help for everyone at Newcastle and for me getting better as a player learning from his experience.”
What the press is saying: “Dummett is likely to stay - even amid interest from Crystal Palace, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.”
What I say: A Geordie through-and-through, Paul Dummett strikes me as the next Steven Taylor (i.e. someone committed to the Black and White for as long as they’ll have him). Unless Newcastle choose to cash-in, which given their depth at Left-Back, they would be crazy to do, I see Paul holding down a weekly spot in the Starting XI. Pencil him in to the team sheet for this fall.

Jonjo Shelvey

Age: 24
Position: Central Midfield
Years Remaining on Contract: 5
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤12 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: N/A
What the press is saying: “The £12m January signing struggled for gametime during the final half-dozen games but is yet to comment on his future. At the moment, it looks like he will be a Newcastle player next season.”
What I say: Few teams will be excited about picking up Jonjo’s, rumored to be, hefty contract especially considering his subpar end to the season. While Rafa once signed him for Liverpool, he also left Jonjo on the bench during the final games of the season. Jonjo has his work cut out for him if he wants to find his way back into the starting XI and he should as I don’t see him going anywhere anytime soon. Jonjo stays and will feature heavily in the match day rotation.

Henri Saivet

Age: 25
Position: Central Midfield
Years Remaining on Contract: 5
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤3 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: N/A
What the press is saying: “Clearly isn’t rated by Benitez, but whether Newcastle can offload is another matter.”
What I say: So little is known about this mysterious signing. Henri rolled in shortly after the new year, started two games (both losses) and was substituted on in another two (both wins). However, once Rafa took over he only made the bench for 3 of the final 10 games and never made an appearance. It would seem Saivet is not rated by Benitez but with a full summer of training to go, anything is possible. Anything is possible here.

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Probably Staying

Chancel Mbemba

Age: 21
Position: Center Back
Years Remaining on Contract: 4
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤11 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: “As a young player, it is absolutely fantastic to work with Rafa Benitez. He's a fantastic coach and fantastic man manager.”
What the press is saying: “Benitez is keen to keep the defender, and I would expect him to stay - some reports have even claimed a new contract offer could soon be in the offing as well.”
What I say: Chancel represents the future of Newcastle United and his services must be secured through the upcoming situation and into the future. Rumor has it a new contract is being offered by the club to help fend off any outside interest. Between him and Lascelles, Newcastle could have a formidable center back pairing that should see them bounce back to the top flight. Chancel will be in the starting day XI.

Massadio Haidara

Age: 23
Position: Left-Back
Years Remaining on Contract: 2
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤1.2 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: “But now we have to look forward to next season and try to go up straight away. I think that’s the minimum we have to do for the club. For myself, I will try to come back stronger and to be fit for next season.”
What the press is saying: “Haidara will likely stay.”
What I say: I believe Haidara will stay but the more important question concerns his fitness. Massadio has demonstrated he is capable of playing at a high level but the fact remains that his injury record is atrocious. Hopefully the upcoming season will finally put those issues to bed. Massadio stays and will challenge for a starting spot.

Jack Colback

Age: 26
Position: Defensive Midfield
Years Remaining on Contract: 3
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤5 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: “We need to keep hold of the right players and sign the right players. He’s a huge name in the game and it would be a real positive to keep hold of him.”
What the press is saying: “The Geordie-born midfielder praised the club’s fans this week and is likely to remain this summer.”
What I say: I have my doubts concerning Jack’s ability to help Newcastle in the Premier League, but he should a useful player in the Championship. Look for Colback to feature heavily this fall unless a shock bid comes in for him before the window closes. A heavily-used squad player throughout the 2016/17 season.

Vurnon Anita

Age: 27
Position: Defensive Midfield / Right-Back?
Years Remaining on Contract: 2
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤2.75 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: “Yeah, I have one year of my contract left and I will stay.”
What the press is saying: “Anita has pledged his future, so expect the diminutive midfielder back for next term.”
What I say: The biggest question for Anita is will he play right back or central midfield. I would love to see him given a chance to earn the starting spot on the backline. Anita stays, and flourishes, this season.

Rolando Aarons

Age: 20
Position: Left Midfielder/Wing
Years Remaining on Contract: 1
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤1 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: “I want to stay here. I’m not focused on contracts I just want to play games and score goals, that’s all that matters to me. Next season there will be more games so there’s more opportunities. I am looking to take them more than I did last season.”
What the press is saying: “Aarons appears like he will be staying - but there is a possibility he could be sent on loan for part of next season as he looks to win an extension to the one year left on his current deal.”
What I say: Aarons has shown flashes of brilliance although his appearances have been few and far between. Only 20, a loan would seem like a solid choice but Aarons talent might flourish in the Championship where game time will be plentiful. The preseason will tell us a lot about Aarons’ future. I see him featuring heavily this fall.

Yoan Gouffran

Age: 30
Position: Midfielder
Years Remaining on Contract: 1
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤750,000
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: N/A
What the press is saying: “He did not even get a sniff under Benitez and the club will be keen to offload him. Unfortunately, they’ve tried to for at least 12 months now, with no takers yet - and the 30-year-old appears happy to sit on his wages.”
What I say: You would be excused for thinking forgetting Gouffran was even on the wage bill still as I’m fairly certain almost all of Newcastle has by this point. On the wrong side of 30 with one year to go on his contract, I can see Yoan laughing at us all the way to the bank this seaon.

Aleksander Mitrovic

Age: 21
Position: Striker
Years Remaining on Contract: 4
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤17 million
Interested Parties: Sporting Lisbon
What he said: “I have four more years of [my] contract with Newcastle and I haven’t received any official approach so far. If something comes up they will always have to talk with Newcastle first, and only then with me and with my representative.”
What the press is saying: “The 21-year-old is still raw, but he has potential - and I expect to see it being harnessed in the Championship.”
What I say: Mitrovic is certain to attract offers this fall but he appears to enjoy his celebrity status on Tyneside. The Championship appears to be perfectly suited for him in terms of its physicality as well as offering him the ability to grow as a player and mature. Unless a stunning bid comes in, Mitrovic will be in Black and White this fall. Just work on this discipline this offseason Mitro!

Ayoze Perez

Age: 22
Position: Striker
Years Remaining on Contract: 5
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤7.5 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: “I am with the team, I am with this city and I am with everybody. I want to be here to fight for the team and to come back. We need everybody to be together and be like a team.”
What the press is saying: “Clubs may yet sniff around for Perez, but a season in the Championship is exactly what the young forward needs.”
What I say: Like Mitro, the Championship seems perfectly suited to helping Perez develop as a player. While he didn't feature heavily under Rafa (in fairness, all the strikers were rotated rather heavily), I have no reason to believe that Rafa doesn’t value him. Unless Perez desires to move away from England, he’ll be in the squad this fall. Now it’s up to Rafa to figure out how to use him best.

Papiss Demba Cisse

Age: 31
Position: Striker
Years Remaining on Contract: 1
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤1.1 million
Interested Parties: China...or the Middle East...the rumors never goes away
What he said: “We’re not a small team - I have a year left on my contract and I will stay put. Newcastle are a big club and can rise again overnight. All the players know this and we will take the club back up.”
What the press is saying: “Given that he has a year left on his contract, Newcastle could well look to sell. I’d be surprised if he’s still here come September.”
What I say: Before Rafa arrived, I was positive this was Cisse’s last year at Newcastle. However, after the Spaniard featured Papiss extensively during his short tenure, I’m no longer so sure. That said, given Cisse's age and his contract status, it just makes too much sense not to cash in on whatever transfer value Cisse has left. Once Newcastle secures a new striker or two, I see Cisse exiting stage right. We’ll always have those 13 goals in 13 starts...

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Staying

Rob Elliot

Age: 30
Position: Goalkeeper
Years Remaining on Contract: 3
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤1.2 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: “Hopefully he [Benitez] can help us push on as a club and we can have some really good times here.”
What the press is saying: “Elliot will miss the start of the campaign, but he will still be here next season.”
What I say: The biggest question for me is whether Elliot regains his starting spot once he returns from injury. Also, if he’s not ready to go when the season starts, can Newcastle afford to sell Krul? A definite “keeper.” Yep, that just happened.

Karl Darlow

Age: 25
Position: Goalkeeper
Years Remaining on Contract: 4
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤2.25 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: “If we keep the majority of the lads here, I don’t think we’ll have a problem next year.”
What the press is saying: “Darlow came into his own under Benitez and, given doubts over the other goalkeepers’ fitness, he will surely stay after proving he is up to it.”
What I say: Darlow proved a lot of doubters wrong (including me) and now is poised to secure the starting role going into the fall. With plenty of experience in the Championship, Darlow is a must keep. Forget the pencil and use that pen on the squad sheet with this one.

Jamaal Lascelles

Age: 22
Position: Center Back
Years Remaining on Contract: 4
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤4 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: From twitter, “Absolutely gutted! But we have to pick up and start again to come back stronger.”
What the press is saying: “There could well be suitors for Lascelles, but Benitez rates the defender highly and wants to build with him. He will almost certainly be at Newcastle next season.”
What I say: Lascelles has future captain written all over him. Along with Mbemba, he represents the core of this team as it moves into the future. A surefire starter this fall.

Kevin Mbabu

Age: 21
Position: Right-Back
Years Remaining on Contract: 2
What happened: Signed new two-year contract with Newcastle United on June 3, 2016.

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Likely to be Loaned Out

Freddie Woodman

Age: 19
Position: Goalkeeper
Years Remaining on Contract: 1
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤125,000
Interested Parties: Arsenal, Southampton, Crystal Palace
What he said: “I haven’t got as much game-time as I’d have liked this season, and it’s something I’ll have to look at and see if I can get out on loan.”
What the press is saying: “Woodman is likely to spend the majority of next season out on loan, if the fitness of other goalkeepers permits it."
What I say: With both Elliot and Darlow holding down the fort, a loan makes sense for Woodman. That said, based on injury history at the position, a recall-option is a must.

Curtis Good

Age: 23
Position: Center Back
Years Remaining on Contract: 2
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤400,000
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: “Ouch” [Ed: not a real quote]
What the press is saying: N/A
What I say: The young man is absolutely cursed with injuries, like several of our more talented prospects as of late. A loan would be more valuable than another spell with the U-21s this season. Preferably at the League One level considering his strong performance with Bradford City in League Two a few years ago.

Jamie Sterry

Age: 20
Position: Right-Back
Years Remaining on Contract: 1
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤200,000
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: “Hopefully next season we can push on and get back up. We’ll be looking for a good start to the season.”
What the press is saying: “Sterry will stay and try to fight for a starting slot, though a loan move could happen.”
What I say: I see Sterry sticking with the team through the preseason but shipping out for a half-season loan this fall depending on the number of reinforcements brought in across the backline by Benitez. With that said, Rafa appears to rate Sterry highly, based on his apperance in the last game of the season, so he could prove me wrong and keep him in the rotation.

Gael Bigirimana

Age: 22
Position: Central Midfield
Years Remaining on Contract: 1
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤590,000
Interested Parties: Coventry City
What he said: “If they don’t want me then I am, in a sense, a free agent player even though I will be in my last year of my contract. I just want to be somewhere where I will get games and be trusted by a manager who will believe in who I am” (Link)
What the press is saying: “Struggled at Coventry, and Newcastle are keen to offload the midfielder.”
What I say: Gael’s star seems to burned out at Newcastle and the midfield appears far to crowded at this point for Gael to have any hope of breaking through. This has a final loan year or a full transfer written all over it. Here’s hoping Newcastle can garner a little cash out of the deal.

Sammy Ameobi

Age: 24
Position: Left Midfielder/Wing
Years Remaining on Contract: 1
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤4 million
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: N/A
What the press is saying: “Has a year left on his deal, so he’ll either stay or head out on loan unless a buyer is found.”
What I say: A younger Gouffran, in my mind, Sammy failed to impress with Cardiff City last year and is unlikely to find a better reception upon his return to Tyneside. His sale is likely unless Sammy isn’t excited about his potential suitors in which case a season-long loan or a long year of no playing time is in store. The final Ameobi’s days are numbered.

Haris Vuckic

Age: 23
Position: Attacking Midfield
Years Remaining on Contract: 1
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤590,000
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: N/A
What the press is saying: “Has a year left on his deal, so he’ll either stay or head out on loan unless a buyer is found.”
What I say: It's hard to believe Haris has been on Newcastle’s books for almost 8 years at this point. Failing to impress in either the 2nd tier of Scotland or the 3rd tier of England, Haris’ future is most certainly not on Tyneside.

Adam Armstrong

Age: 19
Position: Striker
Years Remaining on Contract: ₤790,000
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤790,000
Interested Parties: Coventry City, Kilmarnock
What he said: “Newcastle is my club at the minute and that’s who I want to play for.”
What the press is saying: “Benitez is waiting to run the rule over Armstrong, but another loan spell could beckon next season.”
What I say: Newcastle should be in no rush to make a decision in regards to Adam. While he was extremely successful in League One last year, the Championship is a big step up in difficulty and the pressure of leading a return to the top flight might be too much for a 19 year old. Rafa should evaluate his progress during the preseason and pull the trigger on a loan if he’s not going to feature on the bench regularly this fall.

Ivan Toney

Age: 20
Position: Striker
Years Remaining on Contract: 4
Estimated Transfer Value: ₤400,000
Interested Parties: N/A
What he said: N/A
What the press is saying: “Still raw after his loan spell at Barnsley, and is likely to be sent out temporarily again.”
What I say: The youngster needs game time and he is unlikely to find it with the first team this season. A successful loan spell is a must.