Choose 5 players

[Ragatino]

That is a solid listing Rag. . .

You a scout somewhere

lol I wish!

Just someone who's either sat in Airports with lots of time to waste, I spend a lot of time watching videos and reading scouting reports.

Also building TV studios and working in sports broadcasting for 20 yrs I have a lot of contacts across South America, Europe and parts of Africa who I chat to regularly about young players who pop up with links to NUFC.

Sometimes I hear about young prospects who aren't linked but would be excellent acquisitions to the squad.

Wilson has a pretty decent rep and signed some very decent young talent 'hidden gems' whilst at Forest.

I have high hopes about incomings this summer.

Retention of players is a different matter, however, that speaks more to the attitude, personality of the players and their relationship to the manager. Eddie has been, probably too good, to the current squad. Developed the likes of Gordon from raw chancer into a regular England international.

The likes of the Tino wouldn't be in the picture for the England squad had he not had the benefit of development and exposure at NUFC.

It's a bitter pill for Eddie to swallow but he needs to get used to players moving on and not put so much stock in those relationships as it's clear that very few will show the loyalty and respect that the coaching staff, the lovely backroom club staff & the manager lavish upon the talent.

[Ragatino]

Gremio youth CB talent Viery has been linked several times in the past. The latest of links popped up today.

https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2026/03/28/newcastle-in-contact-over-viery-deal-after-trip-to-see-gremio-star-report/

[Ragatino]

Gremio youth CB talent Viery has been linked several times in the past. The latest of links popped up today.

The latest addition to the recruitment team Thomas Federspiel is an expert on South American talent. I believe he was key to the Forest signature of Murillo. If so, he clearly has a good eye.

https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2026/03/28/newcastle-in-contact-over-viery-deal-after-trip-to-see-gremio-star-report/

[Ragatino]

Gremio youth defensive talent Viery has been linked several times in the past. The latest of links popped up today.

The latest addition to the recruitment team Thomas Federspiel is an expert on South American talent. I believe he was key to the Forest signature of Murillo. If so, he clearly has a good eye.

https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2026/03/28/newcastle-in-contact-over-viery-deal-after-trip-to-see-gremio-star-report/

https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/viery/1907760

https://www.transfermarkt.com/viery/profil/spieler/950393#google_vignette

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0HYtbPCxzrw - Here's the sizzle reel. God awful music as usual but you get the idea.

He's a versatile player mostly deployed as an LB by Gremio, however, he can play across the back line.

He's got the build of Joelinton, powerful and strong.

[toonviking]

Hall, Tino, Tonali, Bruno and Botman.

Could take Burn and Thiaw as well.

The rest I hope is replaced.

[Ragatino]

Another left back who have been scouted. I do not select the music for the 'sizzle reel' videos so please don't hold that garbage against me!

Davide Bartesaghi - AC Milan - 16.75m Euro

https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/davide-bartesaghi/1390489

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcRDFoBcfiY

He plays Left CB and LWB too. Very versatile 6'4" but athletic, nimble and powerful.
NUFC have a great relationship with Milano, however, not sure the lad would want to come in as 2nd chair to Hall. It would be excellent succession planning for Burns Replacement and provide serious competition for that LCB position in the long term.
The lads got a wand for a left foot, excellent long and mid range passing. I like him a lot. Would be a very very good signing for NUFC.

Right back options

Marco Palestra - Cagliari - 26m Euro

https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/palestra-marco/1397736

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-py4OaIbdQc

Paletra would be only a serious replacement if Tino leaves as he's first team ready and a big outlay would be needed to secure the lad. Marco loves a scrap, very physical in his play. Not blessed with blistering pace but the lads positioning, reading of the game and the attitude that loves the physical side of the game more than make up for it. He's also a player with high football IQ, draws in players, plays it simple but can also unlock a defence with line splitting passes, switches and cross field diagonals. He's a work horse up and down all day.. Not rapid but dogged and determined.


Vinicius Tobias - Shakhtar Donetsk - 6.5m Euro

https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/vinicius-tobias/1067639

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa79tqMVRpY

A rougher diamond requiring polish. A graduate of the Real Madrid academy, 22 yrs old.
If Tino stays then this lad would certainly be a great foil to challenge Tino and provide a huge upgrade in squad depth and rotation.

[Jammy89]

Any deals with big Italian clubs are inevitably going to start Sandro talks - so to a degree I might even take a step back from big Italian clubs.

Unless we make it so clear in the press etc, that they will look ridiculous if they try it. Otherwise, we'll get caught on hop again, think we've concluded a deal and then they'll lob the Sandro grenade in.

[Ragatino]

Any deals with big Italian clubs are inevitably going to start Sandro talks - so to a degree I might even take a step back from big Italian clubs.

Unless we make it so clear in the press etc, that they will look ridiculous if they try it. Otherwise, we'll get caught on hop again, think we've concluded a deal and then they'll lob the Sandro grenade in.

Absolutely correct. It's about the narrative being controlled by the club. The PR man that sits next to Eddie during press conferences appears to be completely incompetent.