Surplus to requirements at Man U?Newcastle United are allegedly looking a two midfielders who could be seen as Joey Barton replacements.
I’m guessing that since Barry McIntosh – the guy claiming to be the UK representative of Tranquillo Barnetta – actually isn’t his representative after all, the Toon’s interest in the player is still valid.
And given that it turns out his current salary with Bayer Lederhosen is allegedly £27k/week, if we have indeed offered him a salary of £40k/week then I would guess he’d be tempted by a switch to Newcastle.
Pardew has said that he hasn’t considered replacing Barton yet, which would suggest that Barnetta is not seen as a direct replacement for him. Furthermore, Pardew seemed to intimate that Joey could still have a future at Newcastle if some judicious ‘bridge-building’ is undertaken. (more…)
Not a hope in hell?This is old news as we all know but there seems to have been an interesting development regarding this outburst by a certain Barry McIntosh.
In a slightly amusing twist of fate, and if North East football correspondent for the Sun Steve Brenner is to be trusted, Mr. McIntosh doesn’t even represent the player! This actually makes a lot of sense as Swiss TV was reporting Barnetta was on a £27k p/w deal – whether or not that is converted or in funny money, I have no idea – nor do I know the difference.
The words the spook agent used were:
“They have made an approach, but their offer equates to somewhere in the region of £40,000-a-week – which is just ridiculous. Why on earth would Tranquillo move to Newcastle for less money?”
“No offense to Newcastle, he would possibly consider going to Arsenal, Liverpool even Tottenham for less – but not Newcastle.”
If truth be told, that’s a rather scathing attack on us for very little reason but, seemingly, to get his name in the press. Personally I think this is all hilarious now the truth has came out – and it certainly appears to be true as Sky Sports have pulled the article from their website. (more…)
Finds his voice againNewcastle United manager Alan Pardew returns to the public eye today with comments about Barton, Enrique, Twitter and Tranquillo Barnetta.
Inevitably Alan Pardew eventually had something to say on the whole Barton debacle. Allegedly the Newcastle manager’s tongue had to be put in a splint following an accident as it attempted to break the land speed record, but it’s now back in action. Pardew said:
“I’ve never closed the door on anyone and I’m not closing the door on Joey.
“He trained with the development team today and, who knows, he may train with the first-team soon.”
Who knows indeed. Pardew continued:
“It’s a situation I didn’t envisage being in.
“Joey is a great player and you want great players in your team. It’s very important as a football club that you are all pulling in the same direction – at this moment of time where Joey is not pulling in the same direction. That’s not to say that can’t change in a short period of time.
“I’m still reflecting on the situation, as is Joey at this present time, on how best to resolve this issue. I think that is important at the moment.” (more…)
It's on then it's off again!Newcastle United are allegedly negotiating to take Swiss winger Tranquillo Barnetta from Bayer Leverkusen whilst Enrique is off to Liverpool pronto.
According to The Journal, we’re already making a move to sign Tranquillo Barnetta from Bayer Leverkusen, although The Journal – in a Daily Mailish fashion – simply states this as fact rather than offering any evidence as to how they know this.
Nevertheless, it seems to be true (that we’ve made a move for him anyway) if the comments of Barnetta’s representative are anything to go by. Barnetta’s British representative Barry McIntosh said:
“As it stands there is not a hope in hell that he will be going to Newcastle. In fact I am angry at their attempts to do it, and behind my back also.
“They have made an approach, but their offer equates to somewhere in the region of £40,000-a-week – which is just ridiculous.
“Why on earth would Tranquilo move to Newcastle for less money? No offence to Newcastle, he would possibly consider going to Arsenal, Liverpool even Tottenham for less – but not Newcastle.
“They have known all along, what it would take to land Barnetta and what he is earning now, and this sort of offer really does border on ridiculous.”
New left-back needed at the ToonNewcastle United midfielder Joey Barton fires off some parting shots as he heads for the exit along with left-back Jose Enrique. The club must now look at how these players will be replaced (if indeed they will at all).
Joey Barton was given a two-week fine for his renegade Twittering yesterday, which probably comes as no surprise to anyone. It certainly didn’t surprise Barton himself who said:
“Ha ha the inevitable, 2 weeks wages fine has just arrived. Needless to say it shall be appealed forthwith.”
Barton also accused the club of releasing ‘false reports’ about the situation to the press, saying:
“Everyone here knows I speak the truth.
“I also have too much respect for my teammates and the fans to get in a tit for tat war with them. I have too much self-worth and dignity.”
He was also apparently quoting both Orwell and The Smiths on Twitter but this particular debacle is beginning to get on my nerves now so I won’t bother with the quotes. Barton was made to train alone yesterday and I reckon his inevitable exit will come quite soon. (more…)
