Newcastle United In For AC Milan Defender?

Posted on December 16th, 2011 | 8 Comments |

Taye Taiwo in action
Taye Taiwo in action
It would appear from various reports in the media that Newcastle United had hoped to resurrect the deal to sign Erik Pieters from PSV Eindhoven during the January transfer window. However the Dutch club are not willing to part with the Holland international according to quotes attributed to their Sporting Director, Marcel Brand.

As a result, speculation is rife that United have turned their attention to AC Milan player Taye Taiwo. He’s a left-footed left back – wouldn’t that be a novelty!

At 26, the Nigerian is probably getting on a bit in terms of the player profile owner Mike Ashley will usually agree to spend money on, however it may be a runner as United are only talking about a loan deal at the moment.  Taiwo only joined the “Rossoneri” over the summer, but he’s finding it tough to feature regularly in the team. He has played in just two Serie A games and four Champions League ties so far this season.

According to Italian sources, United are said to be prepared to offer Milan €1m to make the deal possible. They would also get an option to buy him outright at the end of the season.

The Player

After starting out playing for a couple of clubs in Nigeria and then moving to Marseilles, he signed for AC Milan on On 9 May 2011.  He made his debut with the club on 24 September 2011 in the home league match won 1–0 against Cesena.

One of the benefits of signing a Nigerian of course is that Nigeria will not be taking part in the African Cup Of Nations in January, having been eliminated in the qualifying stages. He fits the bill for the sort of player who would strengthen manager Alan Pardew’s defensive options, and of course if he was successful here he would provide owner Mike Ashley with another player to sell on for a profit.

The player’s agent, talking to Italian journalists recently, is quoted as saying: 

“We are not 100 per cent satisfied, but that doesn’t mean the player is not ready to fight for his place. I think he has had some difficulties settling in, especially when it comes to understanding the movement the Coach is asking for. However, Taiwo never gives in and therefore does not want to leave Milan. We’ve got to evaluate the situation and he has many admirers, but the idea is to stay with the Rossoneri.”

But then, they always say that, don’t they? The view of AC Milan is not known at this point, but the current speculation points to United already being in negotiations with the Italian club.

NUFCBlog Author: UTD111 UTD111 has written 59 articles on this blog.

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Comment on this post

8 Responses

  2. cant see past maiga and maybe tomkins or ridgewell no matter what happens in jan!

    the club dont like to do business in jan and we wont sign more than 2 players max

  3. geordiedug, where the hell have you been? ;-)

    How’s the supporters group gannin’ over there and how things at the new place?

    I’ll put up a link for your group page if you want me to?

  5. Isn’t this guy on mega-wages at present, so how will that effect us, especially with players like Simmo, Colo etc etc still in talks regards new contracts???

    Now sure about the comment at the start either, “He’s a left-footed left back – wouldn’t that be a novelty!” Wasn’t Enrique a left footed left back too??

  6. @Toon69 Aye you’re right mate, Enrique was left footed. My “novelty” comment was more about this season’s squad not having a natural left-back, something I think we should be trying to put right in the January window.

    Ryan Taylor has done a great job, but Sturridge showed how it can all go horribly wrong when someone specifically targets him, which happened when Jonas wasn’t there to help.

  7. Good player, would have liked to have him five years ago. Can’t see it, though, as Arsenal and others are also reportedly interested.

  8. suprise suprise the maiga deal collapses on medical by the club, any1 else smell a rat here??? we wont sign any1 maybe sell again tho and continue to fall down the table, frustrating times yet again to continue under the ashley regime!!