Let’s take it back 12 months; a Saudi led takeover seemed imminent, Gareth Bale was linked to a sensational move to St. James’ Park and odds had been slashed on Kylian Mbappe swapping Paris for Tyneside.
Fast forward and Newcastle are reportedly having to target players that are out of contract at the end of the season so to avoid paying a transfer fee.
If that doesn’t sum up supporting Newcastle United, I don’t know what does. It’s the hope that kills.
Three names mentioned by the Chronicle that are out of contract at the end of the season and we are supposedly monitoring are Kyle Bartley of West Bromwich Albion, John Lundstram of Sheffield United and Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend.
The problem with signing players on a free like this is that other Premier League clubs haven’t been too bothered about trying to keep them, usually for good reason.
Kyle Bartley and John Lundstram are almost certainly going to be relegated with their current clubs and if we somehow find a way on not joining them in the Championship, it hardly screams ambition to get them signed up.
Fans may be more split on any potential transfer of Andros Townsend. Townsend was brilliant in his brief spell for Newcastle, so much so that he found himself back in the England set up.
There may still be a sour taste in the mouth of some fans as Townsend didn’t hang around for the Championship and jumped ship into the arms of ex-Toon boss Alan Pardew at Palace.
Other reports have also linked us to the free signing of Jetro Willems whilst a deal for Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo has also been talked about.
Unfortunately, this latest story has the ring of truth to it and it does seem like we will once again be hunting in the bargain bucket for players to bring to the club.