Newcastle United transfer rumours. Newcastle United transfer speculation. Read the likely Newcastle United transfers in and out right here.
The transfer window ends at the end of August so no panic just yet.
Sam Allardyce has on his shopping list a whole new back four to build around Steven Taylor (how did we ever get into this mess ??), a holding striker up front to play the Alan Shearer role and a bit of pruning and refreshing around the midfield department.
The escape clauses are causing a bit of a fuss with Owen and Martins so Allardyce is keeping his options open in this department.
He also seems to be looking for a holding midfielder in the Ivan Campo mode hence the interest in Edmilson
Already in
Joey Barton
Coming in under a cloud because of his well documented behavioural issues. Newcastle have signed him by triggering his £5.5 million escape clause. Whilst he was offered £4 million a year by West Ham but he's opted for a £3 million a year package with Newcastle. Someone who wants to win trophies, could be the next Roy Keane, looks a bit of a bargain if we can sort out his issues.
Mark Viduka
Wants to keep living in Harrogate and get paid £3.75 million a year. Newcastle match that criteria so he’s joined us. Last season he was joint 4th top scorer with 14 goals in the Premiership and he is also a good, intelligent holding forward in the Shearer mould. Keeping him motivated and fit and slim is the key so Allardyce's new backroom team will have to earn their money with Viduka.
David Rozehnal
A centre half Allardyce has been tracking for some time and tried to sign for Bolton last January. Signed in a £3 million deal from Paris Saint-Germain, aged 26 and has 34 caps for Czech Republic including playing all 3 matches in 2006 World cup.
Geremi
A free transfer midfielder aged 29 whom Chelsea have recently played at right back. On the face of it a good track record winning the Spanish League with Real Madrid and 2 Championships with Chelsea, in between a tidy season at Middlesbrough where he scored 7 goals. Also a lot of Champions league experience. However in his last season at Real Madrid he only played 9 matches and since moving to Chelsea he has only averaged 17 appearances a season, many of those as sub. So not extensively played over the last 5 years.
Cacapa
Well he’s 31 and has 3 caps for Brazil. Has captained Lyon for the last 5 years so a definite contender as club captain. Described as a no nonsense defender who likes to battle. Slight concern, he missed most of last season with injury, keep our fingers crossed then !!
Alan Smith
Brought in to replace Dyer and has many contrasts to his predecessor. At both Leeds and Manchester United he was very popular with the home fans being voted player of the season 2 years running at Leeds. Willing to play in a number of forward positions. Definitely has the heart for a battle.
Well he’s 26, has scored 45 premiership goals since 1998, has played for England 11 times scoring once. He says his preferred position is centre forward.
Manchester United paid £7 million for him but he has lost his way a bit there in last 2 seasons
Jose Enrique
Aged 21 and a Spanish U21 left back. Made 23 Primera Division appearances for Villarreal last season in his first season in the first team having been out on loan to Celta de Vigo the previous season. Inexperienced and one for the future rather than for this season maybe but if needs must!!
Not quite in yet
Transfer window ends end of August so no panic just yet.
More Defenders
Still on the lookout for 2 more according to Allardyce. One very close apparently is 6' 1" Serbian Ivica Dragutinovic of Seville who can play centre back or left back
Left Backs
Having agreed a fee for Leighton Baines with Wigan he opted for Everton after we signed promising youngster Enrique, one can only assume Allardyce is still looking for an experienced left back only regular name left on the market is Nickey Shorey who has turned down a new contract at Reading but West Ham are interested in keeping him in London.
Defensive Midfielders
Sam obviously likes a strong midfield anchorman as he had at Bolton with Ivan Campo.
He has been over to Spain to talk with Barcelona’s Brazilian holding midfielder Edmilson aged 31. However he is out till Christmas with knee surgery so this could be a January signing.
Need any strikers Sam ??
The signing of Alan Smith has got us sorted in this Department. Once the big 4 have made their signings and Inter Milan made no approach then we finally got the declarations of loyalty from Owen and Martins, at least for another season.
