Newcastle were mentioned over the weekend as one of a host of clubs keeping tabs on Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek.
It is fair to say that it is a stretch, at best, to think we would have any chance of attracting one of the hottest talents of the summer to Tyneside.
With a club that cannot even get a deal agreed with their manager, any noises around potential signings are likely to be way off the mark.
There is very little likelihood of any players arriving at St James’ Park until the two major issues are addressed – Rafa Benitez’s future, and any potential takeover.
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But it does not stop various newspapers, websites and journalists linking us with a host of players from around the globe.
The latest claims, as we reported earlier, were made by a Dutch journalist, who was assessing the future, and potential moves, for a number of Ajax’s talented players, for Sky Sports.
Even after a takeover players like van de Beek will be out of reach
The only way a signing like van de Beek could become a reality, would be if the alleged takeover occurs, and the new owners were wanting to make an immediate statement of intent.
Even then, it would be impossible to expect some of the top players in football to buy into the new vision for Newcastle immediately, and it would be far more likely that initial signings would be better players than we currently have, but an echelon or two down from Europe’s elite stars.
Nevertheless, the Geordie faithful are always quick to show their sense of humour on social media to these sort of rumours, and the van de Beek stories have been no excepteion.
Here are a few of the comments: