Newcastle: Ready, Willing & Adel?
Posted on January 3rd, 2011 | 105 Comments |
I’d like to start off by my apologies for the strange title, but bearing in mind that I am still recuperating from an injury that has kept me away from the blog for awhile, am hoping that people reading this will humour me.
Anyway, back to business, and the word on the street, (if we are by any chance pursuing all the players that we have been linked with) is probably that Newcastle United is in the process of procuring a whole new squad.
Let us start with my favourite, and ever so reliable source of information, The Daily Mail.
According to The Daily Mail, as the title suggests, we are lining up a move for QPR starlet Adel Taarabt.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has been outstanding this season following his summer move from Tottenham and has been the creative force behind their rise to the top of the Championship.
Though the Moroccan cost QPR a measly £600,000, which could rise to £1m based on appearances and promotion, Newcastle apparently want to test the water with an offer now. All in all, I would be fairly pleased with this piece of business as Taarabt has scored 11 goals in 23 games and appears to have what it takes to play at this stage.
Manager Alan Pardew wants to add some attacking flair to his side and is said to be considering Tottenham’s Robbie Keane and David Bentley among others but Taarabt may fall closer into line with his transfer budget. How exactly the press is aware of the budget allotted to Pardew remains a mystery to me, as there has been nothing mentioned, and is mere speculation thus far.
On Keane and Bentley, Pardew told Sky Sports 1 after the victory over Wigan:
“I’ve made it clear to Mike and Derek that I think it is important that we be seen to be doing something positive with the group. We have got some really good players and I think we need another player in this window. Hopefully we can get that. There is a lot in both of those, but I don’t know if they are for us. You have got to make sure that the decision you make is the correct one. And the most important thing, I think, for this particular club is that they can carry the shirt and be big enough and bold enough to play with the expectation. Those two players obviously fit that bill.”
Pardew continued:
“I can’t say we haven’t spoken to Spurs because I was speaking to them last week and we talked about players. I think they want to do some movement and we want to do some movement. Whether we take a player from Spurs is a question I can’t answer, but we are looking at the market and we want to bring an offensive player in. I have made no mistake about that with the board and with the press – I want an offensive player.”
What I find really interesting in his entire speech however, is the fact that he has used the expression, ‘We need another player. Hopefully we can get that.’
This leads me to wonder, is one player coming in all the action we are going to see this window? Hmmm…curiouser and curiouser.
And now back to the ever so famous Daily Mail. According to them, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is hoping to add some pace to his squad, in the form of Paris Saint Germain ace Stephane Sessegnon.
According to them, the 26-year-old is contracted until 2013 but is hoping to leave during the transfer window following an argument with his manager:
“The coach insulted me. I believe that a coach cannot call one of his players ‘a******’ or call him ‘a s*** player’ as was the case with me… That is what he said to me, I am not going to cover up what he said. Under these conditions, it appears to me that it is impossible to continue to play for Paris. Impossible.”
The Benin international is valued at £7m and this in the current climate will I believe be beyond our spending power in terms of a solitary player.
Over to The Daily Star now, and apparently Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has spoken with them over the possibility of a loan move for former England captain David Beckham.
It is clear, however, that the Geordies will face tough competition with Tottenham and Everton also offering the former Manchester United pin-up a return to the Premier League.
“David Beckham is an asset to a team on a number of levels. But for a manager it’s the playing level and the fact he can deliver a ball. He has the experience and guile to play for this team, 100 per cent,” said Pardew.
“But there has been no talk about David Beckham. Perhaps I should ring him and see what he’s up to, see if he is coming home… We won’t leave any stone unturned for any player who becomes available and who we think can take the club forward.”
When asked if he would make a move for Becks, the Newcastle gaffer revealed:
“That conversation will probably take place on Monday or Tuesday next week. We’re just looking at the market and making calls to see who is and isn’t available. Then we’ll have to nail it down. I will put David on the list!”
So now, it’s over to your thoughts. Let’s assume we are playing fantasy football here for a second and assume you have 5 million plus money made from player sales. Who would you bring in, and who would you ship out to make more room and raise funds for further squad expansion.
Fingers crossed for a good window, though I’m personally not expecting much, and A Happy New Year to all our readers.
HWTL.
NUFCBlog Author: fernando666
fernando666 has written 8 articles on this blog.
Why would we need another giant up top?
WE NEED A LCG QUICK NO. 8/10.
HELLOOOOOOOOOOOO!
:)