The Mirror is reporting that Lewis McGugan is interesting Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew at a price of £1.5m. The Nottingham Forest central midfielder, who can also play in a more advanced role behind the striker, has been a consistent performer for the last two successive seasons for Forest in which the club have fallen agonizingly short of promotion on both occasions.
Young and agile with a wonderful technique, McGugan’s profile rose to it’s highest point last season thanks to a stunning 35 yard free-kick against Ipswich Town which was voted Championship Goal of the Season. Forest would be loathe to lose McGugan, last season’s top scorer with 13 goals, and Steve McLaren has already stressed his need to add to his squad rather than deplete it.
The main question lies in if Newcastle actually need this player. There is no doubt that McGugan has talent, but Newcastle already have a wealth of talent in midfield with plenty of Premier League experience.
If the fee quoted is accurate, it would be considered a bargain and therefore probably risk free on Newcastle’s part – but you can’t imagine McGugan would be too happy to sit on the bench for Newcastle. Ben Arfa, Tiote, Barton and new arrival Cabaye have more than enough skill to hold McGugan out of the team – so would it be considered a worthwhile transfer for either club?
Written by Sam Tighe
NothingButNewcastle.com is looking for writers. If you love the Toon get in touch at nothingbutnewcastle@snack-media.com
Don’t think he’s good enough, just can hit it from anywhere. Always out of shape and looks lazy, that said wouldn’t want us to offload him unless we were offered £4m+
I’m with you. We need to get Englishmen in.
This young lad looks a great bet. BUT – we’ve been burnt once already from Forest with Perch.
He’s a young lad, can get much better – but we’ve went through this with Nile Ranger. And Ranger’s behaviour will have soiled Ashleys opinion of young British lads.
Look at young Ferguson. Model young pro. Ashley immediately digs out big contract, increased cash.
Shane accepts immediately.
Which camp is young lewis with ?
The Shane camp or Nile camp ?
Only one way to find out. Sign and try.
If you paid £1.5M for Perch (ker-ching) you can quadruple that for McGugan. If we’re stupid enough to let him go for that paltry amount you should snap our hands off to get him. Mind this was in the Daily Mirror, hardly the most reliable source.
Why would a club, who have let 9 players go, and are desperate to strengthen a small squad, with a new international pedigree manager, and have pledged to build the side around McGugan as Warnock did with Tarabt, sell a player who is not in the last year of his contract for a fee that is less than 20% of his value?
Even if the Toon had a gap in the squad, it ain’t going to happen
Someone is having a laugh with you lot. I’d ignore it if I were you.