Newcastle United: Krul linked with move; midfielder to leave; captain calls for unity

By grvadmin

Relegation carries many problems that fans have to come to terms with. Inevitably, clubs will eventually come looking for your best players in an effort to take them back to the top flight.

Promises of top flight football, the chance of losing international squad places if they’re playing in the second tier and even the pursuit of glory can tempt freshly relegated players to leave their club in favour of greener pastures.

Tim Krul has been a long standing figure between the sticks for Newcastle, but new links have emerged suggesting that Juventus see the Dutchman as a long standing replacement for iconic ‘keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

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The Italian giants initially tried to sign Krul two seasons ago, but were faltered by the £20 million asking price. According to the Northern Echo, with Krul having just a year left on his contract, the Magpies would be willing to accept a bid in the region of £4 million for the 28-year-old.

Krul is injured until at least mid-September with a cruciate ligament injury, so any bids would likely come through in January.

Siem De Jong is a less central figure at St James’ Park, and reports say Rafa Benitez’s restructuring of his midfield is likely to leave the Krul’s compatriot out in the cold yet again.

The 27-year-old attacking midfielder has made just 22 appearances for the Magpies in an injury-ridden spell in the north east, and PSV Eindhoven are hoping to broken a loan-to-buy move for him.

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The Dutch club recently missed out on signing Marco van Ginkel from Chelsea and will doubtless be looking for someone to inspire some creativity in their midfield.

With the arrival of Mohammed Diame, De Jong is very much going to be on the fringes this season at Newcastle and may want to leave for first team football.

The Magpies initially bought De Jong for £6 million, but will be lucky to recoup that fee after his troubled tenure on Tyneside.

Meanwhile, new club captain Jamaal Lascelles has outlined the need for players, even those on the fringes, to maintain a positive outlook in pursuit of the club’s return to the Premier League.

“I can’t do everything on the pitch in terms of making sure everybody is doing their job” said Lascelles, in an interview with Chronicle Live. “But I can affect it off the pitch, going for meals or go-karting, or just making sure people or positive.”

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Lascelles also reiterated the need for players to keep faith in their pursuit of the title.

“We have not come here to try to get a move to another team. We are here to get back to the Premier League so players need to stay happy and that’s my job.”

The darkening spirit around St James Park was palpable at the end of last season, but optimism is rife throughout the club. Newcastle are still the bookies favourites for the title despite the loss to Fulham on Friday, and Lascelles will hope his confidence isn’t misplaced.

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Will also writes for Football Ticket Net, his choice for Newcastle tickets