Prefers PSG ... diplomaticallyAlleged Newcastle United target Blaise Matuidi prefers a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Newcastle has been ‘linked’ with a move for Blaise Matuidi for most of the summer but in a recent interview he seems to be expressing a desire to remain in France. Matuidi said:
“I have a contract with St Etienne and so I was prepared to return for pre-season. Having played well doesn’t guarantee a move.
“My wishes haven’t changed, but there are things I can’t control. I’m a St Etienne player, but what is true today may not be true tomorrow.
“PSG are an attractive club, although other clubs could be attractive too.”
Very diplomatic and all bets hedged there by Blaise.
Apparently there’s a €15m buy out clause in his contract, which I would think is a bit rich for Toon finances and, although Liverpool and Arsenal are also supposedly interested in the player, it seems there have been no actual bids made for him yet. (more…)
Swiss midfield target?Newcastle United are allegedly pursuing yet another two midfielders in an attempt to build the largest midfield in history. Birmingham’s Craig Gardner and Bayer Leverkusen’s Tranquillo Barnetta are today’s offerings.
Of course, not all transfer speculation is true. In fact most of it isn’t. But if you ever needed an extra hint that some of it might not be true then you need to look no further than Newcastle’s alleged attempts to sign every midfielder in world football. And there’s a couple more to come in this article.
Craig Gardner has been mentioned in connection with Newcastle a few times recently and it seems we’re in a race with the Mackems to sign him having supposedly matched their £5m bid for the player.
The 24 year-old Birmingham player’s first choice of position is central midfield, although he can play on the right of midfield and as a right-back too, which might at least provide some cover for Danny Simpson. Gardner has scored 17 goals in 132 appearances which have all been for Midlands clubs, first for Aston Villa and then for Birmingham from 2010 onwards.
Last season was a fairly decent one for Gardner in which he bagged 10 goals in 37 appearances, making him the relegated club’s top scorer. (more…)
