Unknown agenda?News today from a number of sources seems to indicate that the Toon’s move for Sheffield United’s coveted defender, Matt Kilgallon, has collapsed. Newcastle had reportedly made a bid of around £1 million for the player, who is out of contract in the summer, and could be snapped up on a free transfer in 6 months.
The player is seemingly committed to helping Sheffield United obtain promotion to the Premier League. In a statement from the player’s agent, Paul Masterton said:
“We have spoken to Kevin Blackwell to say Matthew is fully committed to Sheffield United until the end of the season. We have also informed Newcastle United about the situation.”
“Matthew is keen to win promotion with Sheffield United. If that happens, we will re-assess the options in the summer.”
This seems kind of fishy to me and has the stench of an agent trying to get the best deal for himself. After all, such a committed player has refused to sign a new contract and could leave his current club in the summer, earning them no money whatsoever. I like to think the best of people, so perhaps the lad is comitted to The Blades after all? (more…)
I hear £1m...do I hear £3m?A number of sources, including The Journal are confirming that Newcastle have made formal bids for Jermaine Beckford and Matthew Kilgallon, after submitting written offers to Leeds United and Sheffield United respectively, for two of the players high on their priority list for the January transfer window.
Despite the concerns that history would repeat itself and see the club dwell on their ‘attempts’ to bolster the squad, the club has moved swiftly to kick off inevitable negotiations. While The Journal quotes senior sources as “quietly confident”, an agreement on both is sure to take some time, particularly Beckford’s as Leeds hold out for a bidding war, with the striker’s rise in stock following his FA Cup winner against the mancs.
It appears the conclusion of the Kilgallon move may be more straightforward, as though manager Kevin Blackwell has repeatedly stated he wants him to stay, there have been enough comments ‘between the lines’ which suggest he has acknowledged it is more a case of when and not if. With his contract due to expire, it’s likely that Sheffield will just get the best price and look for a replacement. (more…)
Not underestimated?Alan Smith believes that Newcastle Untied’s fans are as much the reason for our good start to the season as the players on the park. Having averaged over 40,000 for our homes games this season, I think we’ve dispelled the theories that we would see some 20+ thousand shaved off Premiership gates following relegation.
Smudger reckons that without the customary ’12th man’ theory, Newcastle wouldn’t be where they are in the league now. And he insists that the ’12th man’ isn’t just a factor at home either, it’s away as well:
“They want to see us win, and that’s what we’re doing,”
“Their support’s driving us on to keep winning, and long may that continue.
“It’s unbelievable. There’s times when people say it’s difficult to play in front of our fans, because they expect so much, but I think that’ll help us.(more…)
Tyneside bound? According to online reports in The Mirror, Matt Kilgallon is on the verge of joining Newcastle from Sheffield United. We were linked to the defender in the summer, and indeed reports suggested we had a deadline day bid for him turned down.
The rumours have persisted in the press that Hughton would make him a priority signing in the January transfer window. And The Mirror is claiming that we were ‘in negotiations with The Blades last night about taking the 25-year-old defender on loan, ahead of a full transfer in January’.
Kilgallon has continued to attract suitors and notably, several from the Premiership, however it seems that considering his contract runs out at the end of the season, The Blades will seek to take a cut on the £5m-7m that he is currently rated at, after contract talks collapsed.
Having watched him have a steady game against us this season, and after reading reports he seems like a canny acquisition, even if an initial loan deal from now until January seems a little unorthodox. I guess a propostion may have been put to Sheff Utd and this forms part of the sale agreement for January? What we would need to pay would be anybody’s guess, so I’ll go for a couple of million, which might not be a bad bit of business on our part. (more…)
The right Magpies this time?Sol Campbell fancies a move to Newcastle United but may be too costly for Hughton. However Matthew Kilgallon looks like a more affordable target.
Campbell is currently trying to sort out the ramifications of getting out of his ill-fated contract at Notts County, but he found time recently to go public about his interest in joining Newcastle United. Campbell said:
“I have been approached by several clubs and, yes, it is correct to say that Newcastle United are one of them.
“People might be surprised to hear me say that I would be very interested in a move there, but I have my reasons.
“Newcastle are a big club and could be heading back to the Premier League. It appeals. If we can sort it all out at the tribunal I would hope to be playing within weeks from now.
“I’m training every day with Arsenal, feel fit, as fit as ever, and now I really need some matches. But to sort out the mess at Notts County, a Football League tribunal seems to be the only way out.” (more…)
