History with Ashley or Owl Heed?Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew intimates that Joey Barton’s ‘history’ with Ashley and co might be why he has not been offered a new contract.
Alan Pardew has been talking to the press (again!) and apparently he knew Joey Barton’s contract was always going to be a problem and hints at why that might be. Pardew said:
“I spoke to Joey on the last day [of the season] and I think we were both resigned that this contract was going to be a problem.
“Both of us are thinking next year we will be together and we will go on from there.
“Unless it changes over the summer and there’s a bid in that the board, myself and Joey feel works for Joey, I think he will be here for the start of the season. The thing about contracts is, times change.
“I’m not upset about it. I was more upset when we thought we had agreed and there was a change of heart. I knew it would be a problem to come back from that.(more…)
Buy one get one free?Liverpool want to take both Jonas Gutierrez and Jose Enrique from Newcastle United now and the Toon targets a Swansea midfielder.
As Clint said in his recent article, silly season is upon us and transfer speculation is becoming as common as a common thing
Having allegedly had their insulting £4m bid for Jose Enrique turned down, Liverpool are now apparently planning a swoop for both Jose and Jonas as a job lot, which just goes to show how well-recognised their mutual understanding on the left of the pitch is.
Allegedly a fee of £20m-£22m would be enough to tempt Newcastle.
What are we now? A feeder club for Liverpool? Losing Enrique is bad enough and, whilst losing players is part and parcel of football, I must admit I’m not too keen on the idea of losing our entire left side. I think we need to keep some continuity in the key areas of the pitch or it will make for a very difficult season of readjustment during 2011/2012. (more…)
Martinez says no. Rumours say yes.Newcastle’s interest in Charles N’Zogbia seems to be stifled by Roberto Martinez, although many rumours persist suggesting The Zog may yet be returning to St James’ Park.
Newcastle’s pursuit of The Zog has been heavily rumoured since we allegedly made a last minute bid for the player in January.
There is however a spanner in the works and it goes by the name of Roberto Martinez. The Wigan manager has claimed he will only sell N’Zogbia to a Champions League team, saying:
“Charles has improved every year. He’s scored 10 goals a season for the past two years and taken on more responsibility. He’s been captain. I think he can take on more responsibility on the pitch and I still think he’s got a role to play for Wigan Athletic.
“He knows I wouldn’t stop him from playing in the Champions League. We cannot offer that and there are a few players here who fall into that category of being able to play in the Champions League.
“If a club comes in for Charles that is not in the Champions League, then I would say ‘no’. If I don’t see that the club can offer him a different football project than ours then we are not going to sell.” (more…)
Worth more than £4m methinksNegotiations begin between Newcastle United and Liverpool over Enrique and the Barton situation is explained further.
Allegedly negotiations have begun with Liverpool for their acquisition of Jose Enrique. Although it seems they haven’t begun very well.
Newcastle have placed a £15m price tag on the player and Liverpool’s initial offer was only £4m, so there’s a fair bit of meeting somewhere in the middle to be done before Enrique departs for Anfield.
Alan Pardew is now fully resigned to losing Enrique, saying:
“There’s no point keeping a player who has set his sights on a club he has perceived is bigger.
“You can’t keep a player that’s unmotivated.”
Which is fair enough. If a player is determined to leave there is little to be achieved by forcing him to do otherwise. (more…)
Player of the seasonJoey Barton will not be offered a new contract at Newcastle United.
It seems that the club will not be renewing the contract of Joey Barton, who was voted Player of the Season by this site (and others).
Barton’s agent Willie McKay said:
“I had a meeting with Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias and club secretary Lee Charnley and they have indicated Joey will not be offered a new contract.
“Joey will continue to be a Newcastle player next season and then he will leave on a free transfer at the end of his contract.
“Joey would have loved to have extended his stay at Newcastle, but unfortunately it is not to be.”
The last we heard was that Barton wanted a four year contract and the club were only going to offer him a two year contract. Whether or not that’s anything more than rumour is uncertain, but it would be one thing that explains why Barton and Newcastle are parting company. (more…)
