Chelsea Target?It’s being reported in The Mail On Sunday today that Chelsea are looking to make an offer for Tim Krul this summer. And they apparently think they can get him for £15M. This story maybe links with the one we’ve run in the last two days over the future of United’s other top keeper Fraser Forster.
The Mail offers the opinion that this interest from moneybags Chelsea will “knock Tottenham out of the race for the keeper”.
Now far be it from me to suggest this is the London media trying to unsettle our keeper at a time we are entering the final five games of the season and vying for a Champions League spot with – you’ve guessed it! – Chelsea and Tottenham!
However, even though it’s only newspaper speculation, should United fans be worried?
Tim recently signed a new 5 year contract with the St James’ Park club, just before the derby with Sunderland, and he said at the time: (more…)
Potential target?Newcastle United have been linked with two defenders from the Dutch league recently: Douglas and Erik Pieters. But is there anything to subtantiate the rumours?
The Chronicle – and other elements of the press – have been linking us with FC Twente’s Douglas Franco Teixeira recently.
The 6ft 4in 24-year old central defender has apparently told FC Twente boss Steve McClaren that he wants to leave at the end of the season and the Premier League is his destination of choice.
Apparently a ‘source’ at FC Twente said:
“It’s not a case of if Douglas wants to play in the Premier League – it’s simply when. He’s told the manager he wants to go.
“Steve McClaren also has a new defender lined up to replace him in the summer and appreciates that Douglas wants to move on.”
Anyway, on the back of this report I thought I’d do some digging around in the Dutch press to see if I could find some sort of indication that Newcastle is indeed in the running. (more…)
Carr (circled) in his Telford United heyday.Newcastle United chief scout, Graham “Fatty Man” Carr, the less than svelte father of Alan, has, of course, built something of a reputation amongst Magpies fans for his player spotting abilties.
Carr, a Northumbrian who was born in Corbridge like Steve Bruce, was brought into the club in February of 2010 by previous manager, Chris Hughton, renewing a working relationship they had at Tottenham, where Carr was brought in as a scout by Tottenham’s then Director of Football, David Pleat. Since then of course, his reputation has gone from strength to strength on Tyneside with the quality of players signed since he took control of Newcastle United’s scouting department. This interview for Talksport was conducted by Adrian Durham and ex Yorkshire and England cricket legend, Darren Gough, for the station’s “Drivetime” slot yesterday evening.
Below is a written transcription of the whole interview, well, minus a tiny “chatty” bit at the end about Alan Carr’s lack of football skills as a bairn.
Adrian Durham:“So describe exacly what your job is, Graham.”(more…)
Van Dijk – no relation to Dick – is 20 years old and currently plies his trade at FC Groningen where he is said to have had a ‘breakthrough season’ this season.
According to the Dutch press, FC Gronigen’s General Director Hans Nijland has confirmed our interest in the player and van Dijk’s agent – Martin Henk Chin – has said he is due to meet with Newcastle in April or May, although it should be stressed that the two clubs have had no official talks about van Dijk yet.
Van Dijk started his junior career at WDS19 and then moved to Willem II who didn’t really want to let him go and said:
“We have made every effort to retain Virgil, but he has said he wants a new challenge and would like to develop in a different environment. We obviously wish him every success at FC Groningen.” (more…)
Corgnet still on the radar?Newcastle United will look to strengthen the squad in the summer (according to press reports) but who are the ins and outs likely to be?
Much of the press is speculating that Newcastle will see a large influx of players in the summer, with some suggesting that as many as five new faces might be present in next season’s squad. The books will of course still have to balance, so what are the likely courses of action?
First, players will need to leave in order to free up the cash for fresh purchases and that will begin by getting Alan Smith – and his alleged extortionate wages – off the books. Lovenkrands’ contract is up in the summer too; I have no idea what sort of wages he’s on but I’m guessing his contract won’t be renewed.
I think two players who may make an exit are Cheick Tiote and Demba Ba. Tiote was signed for a fee of just £3.5m from FC Twente in August 2010 and I’d guess he’s now worth 2-3 times that amount with Chelsea apparently front-runners to sign him. Demba Ba was of course signed on a free and we’ve since heard Harry ‘Loudmouth’ Redknapp blabbing on about some sort of release clause in his contract and that might mean we don’t get too much for him, but his excellent scoring rate this season has certainly attracted attention. In fact, Demba Ba has just been voted ‘Best Signing Of The Season’ having accrued 56% of the vote from the League Managers’ Association (Phil Jones and Scott Parker were second with 13% each). (more…)
