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…)
Cash crisis maybeIf the latest report from Lee Ryder in the Chronicle is anything to go by, Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton won’t be getting much cash to spend in the January transfer window.
Following Keegan’s tribunal and the £2m it awarded him, it was speculated that Ashley would give Hughton some of the £8m he had set aside to pay Keegan off. However, Lee Ryder thinks otherwise. Having read the article I’m not clear why he thinks that though.
Ryder himself speculates that:
“… with the current regime at United still counting the cost of relegation and smaller crowds at St James’s this season, Ashley will continue to exercise caution when the window re-opens for business on January 1.” (more…)
Toon by tomorrowMartin O’Neill has confirmed that Newcastle are set to take Marlon Harewood on a 3-month ’emergency’ loan. The move should be completed by Friday.
O’Neill said:
“Newcastle are still looking to do something in terms of Marlon.
“I think they are waiting to hear whether they have permission from their owner to go and progress the move.
“I think the opportunity for him now coming back from injury, to get involved in a cause, would be very important and only a benefit for all of us.
“Marlon has been out since pre-season with injuries. He is fighting back, is feeling fine, trained for a few days on the trot.
“But people are pressing for places and at this moment we have competition up front. Delfouneso is going to be a really excellent player and he is hovering around in terms of being on the bench.” (more…)
Kamara - latest toon targetAccording to the latest reports, Fulhams’s Diomansy Kamara heads Hughton’s wish list for emergency loans, with Marlon Harewood and Daniel Cousin also on the interim manager’s radar.
Fulham signed Kamara from West Bromwich Albion in July 2007 for £6m but he injured a cruciate ligament in June 2008 which kept him on the treatment table for nearly 7 months.
Kamara has scored 9 goals in 40 games for Fulham and 60 goals in 253 games in his career overall, which isn’t a particularly good return for a striker, although he did manage to score against us at the end of last season to help us on our way to relegation.
Kamara faired better for WBA in the Championship scoring 20 goals in 34 league games and it seems this is what might have caught Hughton’s eye. Hughton said:
“Diomansy Kamara is one of numerous names we have thought about. He scored a lot of goals for West Brom in this division and he is a very good player. Marlon Harewood is another one.
“There will be a few obvious names because of the position they play in. Marlon was also one we have spoken about. There are no names confirmed, all I can say is that these two are very much being spoken about. No deals are confirmed at the moment, though.” (more…)
