Geremi NOT heading back to Turkey to join former Aston Villa and Man City star?
Posted on January 4th, 2010 | 37 Comments |
“Mike Ashley will be a happy man after Newcastle managed to move on Geremi as early as the third day of January. High-earner Geremi has only made nine appearances for us this season and Turkish side, Ankaragücü have signed him on an 18-month deal, where he’ll join former Aston Villa and Manchester City forward Darius Vassell. Geremi played for another Turkish side, Gençlerbirliği in the late ’90s before he joined the Galaticos of Madrid.
Although there’s nothing on our official site, the Ankaragücü website announced earlier this (Sunday) evening that the signing is confirmed although it’s not yet clear whether they’ve paid anything for him. And Geremi will not be available for his new club, until after the African Nations Cup, in Angola this month.
Signed by Sam Allardyce in 2007 and even installed as captain, Geremi’s contract was due to run out in the summer and it will be a surprise if we have managed to persuade the Turkish side to part with any sort of substantial fee. Indeed the very fact that we have cleared down, in the region of £50-£60k-a-week wages will be a blessed relief to the board. And hopefully as a consequence that will kickstart activities, and money can be reinvested more effectively in this January transfer window.
Ludicrous wages and a knackered pair of legs that were shot before he even ventured onto the hallowed St James’ turf, meant Geremi was always on a hiding to nothing. Even if he was making the effort it was hard to tell, given that he made Kevin Nolan look positively mobile. I would have said the same about Nicky Butt, but that’s maybe pushing it. Chelsea knew what they were doing when they got rid, and Mourinho even told Sir Bobby as much. So unfortunately, aside from a few good deliveries (and even they were limited amongst many that hit the first man) and arguably a positive influence around the training ground in the changing rooms, it’s good riddance to good-money-down-the-drain.”
Well just ignore it for now, because it’s a load of bollocks apparently. However, myself and other bloggers, along with the media don’t appear to have been duped by the normal vicious rumours. Instead, in true Newcastle United fashion, we appear to be part of a genuine ‘misunderstanding’.
Qualifying earlier rumours that the deal was not yet concluded, Newcastle has gone a little further and released the following statement on the official site:
Further to reports in various sections of the media today regarding the transfer of Geremi to Turkish side Ankaraguca, Newcastle United wishes to make it clear that whilst there are a number of clubs interested in possibly acquiring his services, any talk of him leaving St. James’ Park at this moment is extremely premature.
Geremi remains a Newcastle United player and has today linked up with Cameroon for the African Cup of Nations.
So how on earth could the Turkish club have confirmed this on their official site and paraded Geremi to the fans? It seems like a bizarre situation but sort of in keeping with the unorthodox off-field shenanigans of the past year or so. Why is nowt ever straight forward with this club and why do we have to become involved something else that we’ll ultimately get some sort of ridicule for, even if it is all their fault? And why can’t we get rid of that doddery sod?
bollocks!