Colo and Harper wanted elsewhere?
Posted on October 24th, 2011 | 28 Comments |
Shockingly, it’s only 10 weeks until Christmas, which for a humbug like me is a disturbing thought. And shortly after that it’s the January sales, although in this case I’m talking about the transfer window rather than the mad squeeze to get into Harrods (where I’m sure all Toon supporters shop) for a cut-price pair of socks.
If reports in the weekend press are anything to go by, Liverpool intend to do some shopping at St James’ Park by way of Fabricio Coloccini. Apparently Kenny Dalglish is keeping a close eye on Colo’s contract situation and is ready to make a reported £12m bid for the player if Colo has not signed with Newcastle before the end of the window.
After they’ve recently taken Carroll and Enrique from us, you could be forgiven for thinking they see us as some sort of feeder club for them, but in this case I say enough is enough and they can keep their grubby mitts off our captain.
For what it’s worth, I tend to think Colo would like to sign a longer contract with us, although I’m not so sure how the salary situation stacks up. He must be our highest paid player now and I’m not sure how that fits in with Ashley’s general aim to reduce salaries all round. Anyway, I hope it’s sorted out before the transfer window opens in January and we only have incoming players to worry about.
Another player who may reportedly be on the move is Steve Harper.
The Sun carried a report on the weekend suggesting that Brighton are interested in taking Harper on loan to provide some experience to challenge their current number 1 keeper Casper Ankergren. Brighton currently sit in the middle of the Championship and they are reportedly looking to take Harper on a 1 month loan.
I’m thinking that a short loan like that might be beneficial to Newcastle, Brighton and Harper. From our point of view it seems that the keeper’s job belongs well and truly to Tim Krul at the moment, so if Harper can get some game time at Brighton it could keep him fresh and ready in case Krul gets crocked in any way, although there’s always the worry that the loan period could be extended.
I say ‘worry’ because I think Harper’s still got a lot of offer. He’s 36, but that’s tolerable in keepers and he never really did anything wrong as such, he merely lost his place by getting an injury at the wrong time. My suspicion, though, would be that a loan period to Brighton would be a precursor to his eventual move away from Tyneside. That would leave us with Robbie Elliot as the backup for Tim Krul and he’s largely untested at this level.
Both these snippets of transfer speculation are mere press rumours at the moment, so maybe nothing will come of either of them.
With mike Williamson on the bench I think Colo will go. Why have a decent defender like mike sat gathering dust when you can play him and get 12 million in the process. Not what I would say ideal as Colo is our main man. Player of the season without a doubt player of the last two seasons. But this is the answer to ashleys prayers. He wants to reduce wages and Colo will be the last man on high wages. In our first team anyway. So if Colo goes to Liverpool then that’s problem solved. If we are lucky knowing mike we will hold on for 15 mill.
And that’s not bad for a 30 year old.
We could buy peters who can play in the centre and the Marseille left back we were after in the summer.
So although I realy would hate to see him go with the mentality of the board I think he will go. But I think they have learnt from lessons and will probably be doing deals right now for replacements.
If we can get 4 in for every one we sell that’s not bad business but if we sell Colo is expect two at least.
But either way at 30 can you see mike holding onto him? Even with another 4 – 6 good years ahead? History might tell us no. My heart would love it if it was a no. But somehow I don’t think mike will turn this offer down.