Per Ciljan Skjelbred

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Newcastle definately scouting Skjelbred, 21 year old Norwegian international midfield player from Rosenburg. He's a Newcastle fan and definately wants to come to Newcastle apparently.

Meanwhile, Rosenberg have snubbed an undisclosed bid from Premier League newcomers West Brom for Skjelbred.

But the Chronicle understands that the 21-year-old wasn’t impressed by the idea of a move to the Hawthorns in the hope that bigger clubs will come in for him before the transfer deadline at the end of the month.

The Norwegian once snubbed a move to Liverpool because he wanted first-team football, but is now ready to try his hand in England.

And the self-confessed Newcastle fan is hoping United make their move.

Sources close to Rosenberg suggest that Newcastle have the player on their shortlist but are waiting to see how other potential deals pan out.

A source from the Norwegian club told the Chronicle: “What is interesting is that Newcastle are still following Skjelbred and are preparing to lodge a £4.5m bid for him if their bigger transfer targets slip out of their hands.

“Which is also why Skjelbred is putting off signing a new deal with Rosenborg. He does not want to make things messy if Newcastle or another club he might find interesting comes in for him before the end of the transfer window.”

Skjelbred has three caps for Norway and feels he has nothing more to prove in his country’s native Tippeligaen.

The Chronicle reported on July 4 that United had been scouting the player, and his agent said: “All the clubs from the big leagues have been watching him.

“So far what I can say is that nobody from Newcastle has come to me.

“There has been no contact in that way yet.

“He is very ambitious, and if Newcastle came to us with an offer then we would have to seriously consider it.”

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2008/08/02/newcastle-closing-in-on-coloccini-deal-72703-21453638/

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Newcastle had a deal lined up for Skjelbred in the summer at around £7 million which apparently Keegan blocked.

Wise is still keen on him and wants to bring him in if they are all still there in January (thats probably a yes then)

However being the brightest prospect in Norway there is a lot of competition from Bolton, Blackburn, Hull City, Spurs and Aston Villa.

But he is a Newcastle fan apparently.

Norwegian wonder kid back on radar for NUFC
Nov 22 2008 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle

 
NEWCASTLE United will attempt to sign Norwegian wonder boy Per Ciljan Skjelbred if Mike Ashley is still owner of the club in the new year.

United have been tracking the player since Dennis Wise and the now-departed Tony Jimenez arrived at the club.

But a bid to bring the Rosenborg star to Tyneside is believed to have been blocked by former boss Kevin Keegan as part of the wrangle which resulted in him quitting the club.

The collapse of the deal to capture the talented 21-year-old midfielder in August left the player devastated, but since then the Magpies have continued to scout the player.

And the Chronicle understands that an agreement is in place for Skjelbred to sign for United in the next couple of months – depending on circumstances surrounding the ownership of the club.

A source close to Skjelbred said today: “The clubs have apparently reached agreement for a January move for Per Ciljan Skjelbred from Rosenborg to Newcastle – if the club is not sold and Joe Kinnear remains manager come January.

“Nothing is official until then.”

Skjelbred is rated at £7m and is believed to be a Toon fan, but Bolton, Blackburn, Hull City, Spurs and Aston Villa are all interested in the youngster.

And established Norway international striker John Carew has recommended the player to Villa manager Martin O’Neill.

The source added: “There's been no say on a price tag as of yet, but it's fair to assume it would be around £6m-7m.”

Transfer chief Wise is thought to be pushing for this deal, as he did before the end of the last transfer window.

Wise has also been spotted at one or two matches at Rosenborg himself, along with other Newcastle scouts, to check on Skjelbred since the deal collapsed in the summer.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2008/11/22/norwegian-wonder-kid-back-on-radar-for-nufc-72703-22316772/

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So it looks like he could finally be coming, but only on loan from January.