Bournemouth's latest £20m signing is yet another warning for NUFC - pay up or get left behind
Following the impressive arrivals of Jermaine Defoe and Asmir Begovic, Bournemouth have today smashed their transfer record after confirming the £20m signing of Chelsea's Nathan Ake. Yet another statement of intent from our Premier League rivals and one that should come as a warning to Mike Ashley.
Whilst many will suggest that this is an extortionate fee to pay for a 22-year-old with limited Premier League experience, it confirms the pricey market Newcastle must now compete in, with former Premier League minnows Bournemouth looking more likely to compete in the top 10 than a relegation battle.
It is still early days for Newcastle. I expect July to be a busy month, but the signs are a little concerning thus far. Whilst we haggle over what appears to be a straightforward deal for Florian Lejeune, Bournemouth have signed a Premier League proven striker in Jermaine Defoe, a top-class goalkeeper in Asmir Begovic and one of the leagues most promising young talents in Nathan Ake.
https://twitter.com/MarcJobling/status/880713978133053440
Newcastle have been used to only involving themselves in deals in the region of £8-12m in recent years, but that must change this summer if Mike Ashley wishes to match Rafa Benitez's ambition for the club.
Sometimes the value for money deal may make sense - £8.7M for Florian Lejeune could turn out to be better business than the £17m Leicester have spent on the previously linked Harry Maguire - but Newcastle can't take too many risks this summer and must add some proven quality to their side this summer.
Time to wake up and get with the times or risk being left behind.
