GhanaSoccernet.com are reporting that Anthony Limbombe’s arrival from Club Brugge is “imminent” and this could prompt Huddersfield Town to make a bid for Christian Atsu.
Last week the Sun reported the Terriers were the club closest to sealing a deal for the Belgian, but talks broke down and he could now move to either us or Southampton.
With that being the case, it seems David Wagner has turned his attention to Atsu instead. Fans on Twitter were highly sceptical about the source of the story:
Don’t see this happening
— Davidlee marshall (@Davidleemarsha3) 30 July 2018
Rather get rid of Murphy before atsu
— Brian (@Chapmanbrian81) 30 July 2018
If we get say 10m for Atsu, Limbombe is rated at 7/8m then we will won’t be able to afford him…????????♂️#AshleyOut
— Paul Sutcliffe (@PaulSutcliffe80) 30 July 2018
I Don’t believe this. Why would we sell a key player to a rival?
— Anthony (@Anthony__N__) 30 July 2018
Not really adding to the squad are we if one leaves and one comes in??…
— johnh (@gizbyker1) 30 July 2018
Ghana a reliable source?
— Wallace Wilson (@WallaceHWilson) 30 July 2018
How much time do you think is left in this window? It takes #NUFC 3 weeks to turnaround never mind engage in a flurry of transfer activity!
— neilB (@neilTheMagpie) 31 July 2018
Wouldn’t sell Atsu, the money we’d get for him wouldn’t be worth it. He’s a more than useful squad player.
— Geordie Ahmed (@GeordieAhmed) 30 July 2018
Verdict:
At the moment, there has been no reliable source that has said we have secured a move for Limbombe. The Sun say the player would cost £11m, and while most of that would be offset by selling Atsu, our priorities are said to lie elsewhere.
Moves for a striker, a number 10 and fullback are believed to be on the top of Rafa Benitez’s wishlist.