PLUS: Who YOU want United to sign
United fans have ranked the players they would like to see in black and white in the second part of our biggest ever Big Toon Survey and, writes Mark Douglas, certain names keep appearing
IT has been just over three weeks since Newcastle’s title party at St James’ Park -, but it has not taken long for the agenda to change to recruitment.
With Rafa Benitez keen to get players on board quickly and United eyeing a substantial squad overhaul, we extended the Big Toon Survey’s transfer section to reflect the extensive interest in the subject.
What shone through was the recognition Newcastle will have to spend big and recruit substantially to make sure their squad is top-flight ready.
While some want to see experience, the name near the top of everyone’s hit-list is Tom Cairney, the Fulham playmaker.
We also asked you to rate every player linked with the club so far.
Name the one realistic player you would like to sign.
We added the word realistic to weed out those who predictably tap Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo into this field. Newcastle have not delved into the super-rich market for a long while but this season there is some hope United will be shooting for international players rather than the solid set of players they signed last season.
The top ten is reproduced below but there were honourable mentions for the following: Aaron Mooy, Ryan Shawcross, Ross Barkley and Michy Batshuayi, the Chelsea forward. Those have varying degrees of viability – it is difficult, for instance, to see United breaking the bank for someone like Barkley.
1. GYLFI SIGURDSSON (SWANSEA)
A few different spellings were put forward but he was a clear favourite with 10% of the mentions. The Swansea forward is going to be difficult to take from South Wales – Newcastle might have their sights set elsewhere. A creative force who would be a fine addition.
2. TOM CAIRNEY (FULHAM)
The Scotland midfielder impressed everyone with his fantastic performance at St James’ Park and he is exactly the sort of classy playmaker United need.
3. DANIEL STURRIDGE (LIVERPOOL)
Newcastle need goals and firepower and the Liverpool man could potentially offer both in abundance. The Reds may be happy to let him go this summer but with injuries and a likely huge valuation it still looks like a non-starter.
4. ANDROS TOWNSEND (CRYSTAL PALACE)
Left on pretty good terms and nearly came back in January. One to watch this summer, too.
5. JERMAIN DEFOE (SUNDERLAND)
Want does not necessarily get. A few mischievous souls mentioned a swoop for Defoe – and Rafa Benitez did not exactly rule it out when it was put to him – but it was never likely. Has sealed a move to Bournemouth.
6. JOSH KING (BOURNEMOUTH)
Surprisingly popular option. The Norway striker scored the goal which sent Sunderland down and was one of the top scorers this season – but was this his breakout season or a flash in the pan?
7. MICHAEL CARRICK (MANCHESTER UNITED)
Carrick will leave the Red Devils this summer and be available on a free transfer - but he already appeared to rule this one out.
8. WAYNE ROONEY (MANCHESTER UNITED)
Rooney’s time at Manchester United is coming to an end and he appeared to suggest he would be open to a move away. China looks his most likely destination.
9. KELECHI IHEANACHO (MANCHESTER CITY)
Young Nigeria striker is available this summer for around £20million. He has shown his pace and finishing prowess in fits and starts and clearly appeals to Newcastle fans.
10. HARRY MAGUIRE (HULL) AND JOHN TERRY (CHELSEA)
Two players at opposite ends of their careers. Terry is available this summer but unlikely to move north. Maguire is a definite option for Newcastle and, again, is available at Hull. 2. How much will Newcastle need to spend?
£70-80MILLION: 22% £90-100MILLION: 20.4% £80-90MILLION: 14%
A lot was the short answer. Very few picked options lower than £50million – with most hovering between £70million and £100million.
We gave you a wide range of socalled transfer warchests to pick
The one thing that kept cropping up here was the need for “Premier League quality” .... experience of the top flight
from and the majority thought Newcastle would need to spend somewhere between £70million and £80million (22%). 3. How many players will they need? SIX: 32% SEVEN: 25% EIGHT: 18.1% FIVE: 13%
The one thing which kept cropping up here was the need for “Premier League quality”.
Time and time again people mentioned the need to bring in players who had experience of the top flight and would be able to add some much-needed Premier League quality to Newcastle’s squad.
Nick Holvast said: “The bottom half of the Premier League is pretty poor to be honest but if we ave any decent ambition we need to strengthen heavily. Our squad is not suited to the Premier League.”
Jonathan Barsons of Cramlington reckoned: “We need a few more Premier League quality players.
“That said there is no need to chop and change the majority of the team. If it works together let’s see what the season brings and try out some of the reserves.”
4. Rate the players linked
TOM CAIRNEY YES: 87% NO: 13%
ANDRE GRAY? YES: 57% NO: 43%
JAMES MCCARTHY: YES: 50% NO: 50%
YAYA TOURE YES: 34% NO: 66%
HARRY MAGUIRE YES: 73% NO: 27%
ANDROS TOWNSEND YES: 71% NO: 29%
KIERAN GIBBS YES: 70%
NO: 30%
ELIAQUIM MANGALA YES: 43% NO: 57%
RUBEN SEMEDO: YES: 35% NO: 65%
SANDRO RAMIREZ YES: 50% NO: 50%
FERNANDO YES: 50% NO: 50%
JOSH KING YES: 69% NO: 21%
JAY RODRIGUEZ YES: 53% NO: 47%
For this question we listed the most high-profile links which had emerged at the point where the survey was launched.
There have been a dozen or so more who have caught the eye since we put the survey out there but this was still a pretty clear crosssection of transfer links.
Three very, very clear favourites in this category: Tom Cairney was the only name who generated more than 80% of the vote.
The Fulham midfielder has family links to Newcastle and Benitez liked the Scotland international long before he ran the game at St James’ Park earlier this season.
Andros Townsend and Harry Maguire both have more than 70% of the vote. The Palace winger and Hull defender are both on Benitez’s shopping list as he looks to bolster the Newcastle squad.
Kieran Gibbs, the Arsenal leftback, is also over 70% – just ahead of Josh King, the Bournemouth striker.
Interestingly, you are not quite as sold on Eliaquim Mangala, the Manchester City defender piquing Benitez’s interest.
Three clear favourites in this category – Tom Cairney, Andros Townsend and Harry Maguire