Newcastle United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours

Charlie

Right, I had been thinking about starting one of these a while back to post the various rumours, and my general thoughts on what's going on in the club, but I was too distracted with the Euros. Anyway, better late than never.

From SkySports.com today,

Everton and Newcastle are both interested in Dutch star Orlando Engelaar, Skysports.com can confirm.

But German side Schalke are close to sealing a deal for the Twente midfielder and the Premier League clubs will need to act fast if they want to sign him.

Speaking exclusively to Skysports.com, Engelaar's agent Eduard Burleson confirmed the interest from England - but admitted talks with Schalke are at an advanced stage.

"We have spoken with Schalke and terms have been agreed," Burleson told skysports.com.

"But the two clubs have not agreed yet, and so that is where we stand on that.."

Burleson admitted that English interest was now getting stronger and that 28-year-old Engelaar could very well be keen on a move to the Premier League.

"I know Everton are interested and that Newcastle could soon make a move," he continued.

Engelaar has impressed me so far in this tournament, and I would be happy to see him come in. It seems that he is a player with abilities very similar to Barton, only more of a physical presence, and less of a scummy thug. Also, it's nice to get a player in who is part of an international setup that is playing so well, and in many ways, playing Keegan style football.

This move would also signal to me Barton's exit. I wasn't sure what way I wanted that to play out, but I thought KK would make the right move. The idea of a wage cut seemed like a good idea, as it would test his commitment to the club, after letting us down so badly. He rejected it, so I say let him fall through the leagues. I would be very surprised if a Prem team would touch him now.

_____________

If anyone has read my posts in the old thread, and in a few of the various Euro threads, you will know I have a massive man crush on Turkey's young maestro Arda Turan. I was highly impressed with what I had seen of him prior to the Tournament, and his play in the Tournament has only confirmed his status. This now means though that we will probably face a challenge to sign him, and the fact that Turkey have squeezed in to the semis wouldn't have helped our cause. Big Mike, get the dosh out, and sign this boy fast!

_____________

Arshavin is another player we were heavily linked to prior to the tournament, and again I rated him highly on what I had seen of him. He has kept himself under the radar with his suspension, but he put in a great shift the other night, and tomorrow's game against the Dutch could see his star rise even further, and perhaps bit too far from Newcastle's reach. Again though, I would plead with Big Mike to get the dosh out.

____________

Those are my thoughts on the players we have been linked with, but I would like to mention a name or two I think would be a steal.

Daniel Pranjic of Croatia has impressed me massively in this Tournament. He's 26 and currently playing with Heerenveen. Our current left back, Luis Enrique, looks very promisnig, but his youth shows (21) and I would love to see him spend a year or two on loan and learn is trade in English football in the Championship. I see no reason why we shouldn't have a decent shout at Pranjic.

______________

At this stage it would look like Dunney Monster is staying put, and a player who looked to be on the verge of a move, is probably out of reach now. I still feel we need to sign a good experienced CB who can mentor Taylor, and I would like to see Faye as a squad player for the CM position.

The man that I would like to see us now chase is Khalid Boulahrouz. I know a few people will remember him for some of his poorer performances in a Blues shirt, but few remember that he got off to a flying start with commanding games against the likes of Barca. I think he is a confidence player in some respects, and Mourinho could be merciless with letting players know if they had displeased him. Joe Cole was a perennial sufferer of such treatment, and has flouished since Maureen left. To me, Keegan would seem the perfect manager to Keep Boulahrouz confident and motivated. There is also the added benefit of his ability to play either full back positions should we need him to.

_____________

The only other bit of news that I can think of is St. Michaels's contract. In the last few days Owen has come out and said that himself and the club have sat down and have opened talks again. This is positive news, and Michael, imo, has never indicated that he wanted to leave the club. The sticking point will be money.

I think Big Mike is more than happy to splash plenty of cash on transfer fees, but I think he was appalled, and rightfully so, at the amount of average players on the club's books who were on mega star contracts. He wants to set up a new wage structure in the club, and Michael is the first player to come within it's sights. With Owen's contract, I think he wants to send out a message, and I can't blame him. We have had a very poor return from the vast majority of our squad for the money they are paid. Last season we had the 4th biggest wage bill, but one of the smallest squads!

Also, I think Michael knows that the contract Fat Fred signed him to was overpriced, and that he would struggle to find that sort of money elsewhere. In my heart of hearts I see Owen finishing out his carear in the black and white, I genuinely think both parties will strike a deal that pleases both.

So there we go, all my ramblings in one mega post. I expect the usuals will be in to give their twopenths worth.

ShoulderChip

is engelar the tall black guy that the irish commentators insist should be a basketball player everytime he touches the ball?

Arshavin would be magic, although carlo ancelotti of milan stated his interest today,

pranic is a hero


how upset are ye know over losing modric?

monkey9

Engelaar's at Twente?? He must have heard about McClaren taking over and instucted his agent to get him out of there ASAP!!

Charlie

ShoulderChip wrote: »

is engelar the tall black guy that the irish commentators insist should be a basketball player everytime he touches the ball?

That's the chap alright. Don't let his height fool you though. He is an exquiste passer of the ball.

ShoulderChip wrote: »

how upset are ye know over losing modric?

Who? Oh, the scrawny little pecker who bottled a pen last night. Ah, that's all old hat.

If we sign Arda or Arshavin (or both ) it would make up for the loss of his signing. The positive thing to come out from that failed signing though was that it showed we have moved on from signing yesterday's men, and targeting Europe's most promising players.

Charlie

monkey9 wrote: »

Engelaar's at Twente?? He must have heard about McClaren taking over and instucted his agent to get him out of there ASAP!!

I am very intrigued to see how Steve gets on over there. I think he was always the wrong man for the England job, but the press were against him from day 1, and his players let him down. He did a good job with Boro.

monkey9

i don't rate McClaren at all. I think he's a number two at best. He'll probably have Twente bottom half to mid table at best and be back in England in a couple of years!!
Anyway, sorry. That's completely off topic.....unless he takes over from Keegan!!!
What's the story with Ashley anyway. He's a billionaire, right?? He hasn't really spent big money, has he? For a billionaire!! I mean, why aren't Newcastle linked with the big big players, Villa etc.
That club has so much potential, it's ridiculous!! All it needs is the right manager. The Bill Shankly's, Brian Clough's, Sir Taggart's don't come around every day so it's easier said than done, but they should be up there every season.

Charlie

monkey9 wrote: »

What's the story with Ashley anyway. He's a billionaire, right?? He hasn't really spent big money, has he?

Yes he is a billionaire, but just about, valued at just over 1 billion. He got to the position that he is in today by being frugal, and I expect that this will be his approach at the Toon.

He didn't spend last summer because he didn't rate Fat Sam, and we haven't spent so far as, like most clubs, deals are done after the Euros. However, I am under the impression tat he will spend big money when it's on the right players. Sure he offered £16+ million for Modric, he offered more than Spuds paid for Woodgate, and if rumours are to be believed, he has already offered £11 million for Arda.

monkey9 wrote: »

For a billionaire!! I mean, why aren't Newcastle linked with the big big players, Villa etc.

Because we can't attract players of that calibre, irrespective of money. We can't offer European football, and our Prem finishes over the last 4 years have been below average.

This is why we are targeting players who aren't quite the finished article yet, but look very promising (Modric, Arhavin, Arda etc.)

There is also they fact that we are based in, .....Newcastle. While I think it's a cracking city, it's airport is tiny, so for a lot of foreign players, it is not practical for short trips home. Also, you're always fighting an uphill battle against the bright lights of London.

monkey9 wrote: »

That club has so much potential, it's ridiculous!! All it needs is the right manager. The Bill Shankly's, Brian Clough's, Sir Taggart's don't come around every day so it's easier said than done, but they should be up there every season.

Well I like to think we have great potential as well. Anyone who has been to the the city can testify that the whole place is hooked on the black and white. St. James sits a top of a hill looking over the city, in a similar way to where cathedrals used to sit. It's the epicentre f the place. That's something no other large city in England can attest to.

We also have a cracking stadium, and with Mike Ashley, I feel we finally have a boardroom setup that is both stable and forthright in it's planning for the future.

I would disagree with you on the manager front. Keegan is Newcastle through and through, like Shankly was with Liverpool and Cloughie was with Forrest. All three men had/have a connection with the club that runs much deeper than a job.

Also, despite what the southern media will have you think (the same ones who usually cover the England team) Keegan is not some tactically inept fool who loves to concede goals only to score more. Look at how he set us up last season; the football he had us playing, the way he changed Owen's game, the fact that we kept it very tight at the back. But these are just my thoughts, and no doubt there are those who see Keegan for what the media like to portray him as.

ShoulderChip

this thread is a success.

Limerick Dude

What happened to the last thread ?

Anyway, we need to make some signing soon before all the nice euro 2008 talent is taken up !

ShoulderChip

Limerick Dude wrote: »

What happened to the last thread ?

Spurs came in at the last second and took it off your hands:D:D

Duff

Watchin the Russian game at the minute and all I have to say is that Kev needs to act NOW to get Arshavin! Fantastic talent!

Bounty Hunter

Duff wrote: »

Watchin the Russian game at the minute and all I have to say is that Kev needs to act NOW to get Arshavin! Fantastic talent!

might already be too late, everyone now knows the lads quality. His signature wont be easily got nor cheap

Mr Alan

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=745279

AC interested, and i'd imagine that there'll be a host of CL clubs in for him after this tournament.

kinaldo

Arghh people keep stealing my threads! ;

Too early to talk about Newcastle for me. Last season was very traumatic to be a Newcastle fan, I need more time.

I'm only interested in Spain at the moment. After their exit / victory I'll support this thread. Unless me sign Ashavin in the meantime...

Charlie

Whilst it seems like the three wise men have been sat on their backsides when it comes to getting bids in for the likes of Arda and Arshavin, they seem to be scooping up alot of the young promising talent. From skysports.com

Skysports.com understands Newcastle have won the race for Plymouth teenager Aaron Spear.

Spear has been one of the most sought-after young players in the country after impressing in Plymouth's youth teams.

A number of Premier League sides including Arsenal, Portsmouth and Everton have been tracking the 15-year-old but Newcastle have stolen a march on their rivals by luring the prodigious striker to Tyneside.

Spear held talks with Newcastle Executive Director Dennis Wise earlier this month and the teenager has plumped for the Magpies ahead of other clubs.

The youngster's mum, Caroline Spear, has confirmed the highly-rated youngster has agreed a deal to join Newcastle after being impressed by what they had to offer him.

In the last 6 months we seemed to have made a few of these signings. Credit where it is due, this was an aspect of the club that the previous regime rejected to our long term detriment.

Now Big Mike, get the big money out!!!

kinaldo

I have a feeling we're in for a frustrating summer. But I'm not complaining, not yet anyway. Spain have brought me more joy in 5 games this summer than Newcastle have in 15 years. Although I've been a sympathiser / supporter of the Spanish national team for just as long, so maybe the balance of power is shifting and the time of the perennial underachievers is upon us... all we need now is a few Spanish imports!

Charlie

kinaldo wrote: »

.. all we need now is a few Spanish imports!

I have a funny feeling we will end up with Guiza. Not saying that's a bad thing, but I am not sure what to make of him.

He's looked very hot and cold in the tournament, and could prove to (fail to) adapt to the Premiership in the same way Luque did. However, top scorer in league with players such as RVN, Eto, Villa and Henry, without taking a single pen, is nothing to be sniffed at.

ShoulderChip

oh rte seemed confident he was off to fenerbache,

but then again it was rte.

Charlie

ShoulderChip wrote: »

oh rte seemed confident he was off to fenerbache,

but then again it was rte.

Sure those lads can barely pronounce a players name that doesn't start with 'Mc' and seem to know fook all about football oustide of the EPL.

Still though, the Fener link seems credible, but I wouldn't believe it until it's sealed. Can they even afford him?

kinaldo

charlie mchugh wrote: »

I have a funny feeling we will end up with Guiza. Not saying that's a bad thing, but I am not sure what to make of him.

He's looked very hot and cold in the tournament, and could prove to (fail to) adapt to the Premiership in the same way Luque did. However, top scorer in league with players such as RVN, Eto, Villa and Henry, without taking a single pen, is nothing to be sniffed at.

The new Javi Moreno perhaps. Outstanding for Alaves at roughly the same age (26 or 27 I think) but is now completely forgotten about since his big money move to Milan in 2001. Mista and Ballesta also spring to mind. I haven't seen much of him though to be fair.

kinaldo

charlie mchugh wrote: »

However, top scorer in league with players such as RVN, Eto, Villa and Henry, without taking a single pen, is nothing to be sniffed at.

After his penalty against Italy I can see why.

Charlie

kinaldo wrote: »

The new Javi Moreno perhaps. Outstanding for Alaves at roughly the same age (26 or 27 I think) but is now completely forgotten about since his big money move to Milan in 2001. Mista and Ballesta also spring to mind. I haven't seen much of him though to be fair.

Yeah, La Liga seems to have a canny nack of over asking how bad certain players are. Diego Forlan anyone?

I said to my da as soon as Guiza stepped up for that pen that he'd miss. Madness having him take one.

ShoulderChip

yeah marca claim he has already passed medical with fenerbache.

kinaldo

charlie mchugh wrote: »

I said to my da as soon as Guiza stepped up for that pen that he'd miss. Madness having him take one.

Most coaches leave it to the players to decide who takes the kicks, but apparently Aragonés selects the players himself that he wants to step up.

Guillem: Did you decide to take the fifth one?


Cesc: Nope, the coach came onto the pitch and said the names. I haven’t taken a penalty since I was 15, but I was pretty sure I was going to score this one.


Guillem: Luis Aragones says that he knew you hadn’t taken one for a long time but was sure of the way you hit it and your dependability. That is why you were the chosen one for that important penalty


Cesc: When I heard the fifth was mine I immediately thought it was going to be the decisive one. Anything could have happened but since I was a kid you always think the fifth one is the key. I was calm. We had rehearsed the penalties and it was a good idea to do so.

http://www.guillembalague.com/interview_desp.php?id=11

He mustn't have known that none of Güiza's 27 goals were penalties!

kinaldo

Keegan signs some Argentinian winger...

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/newcastle-sign-argentinean-winger-858593.html

He started against Brazil the other week, so must be better than decent then.

kinaldo

http://www.jonasgutierrez.com/

Im_No_Superman

kinaldo wrote: »

Keegan signs some Argentinian winger...

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/newcastle-sign-argentinean-winger-858593.html

He started against Brazil the other week, so must be better than decent then.

According to Wikipedia he celebrates his goals by putting on a Spiderman mask and going crazy. Does this mean the end of Duff's Newcastle career?

kinaldo

Im_No_Superman wrote: »

Does this mean the end of Duff's Newcastle career?

Hopefully!

kinaldo

Some quotes from BBC website

Newcastle have signed Argentina winger Jonas Gutierrez from Real Mallorca on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Gutierrez, 24, played in his country's 0-0 World Cup qualifier draw in Brazil last month and is Magpies manager Kevin Keegan's first major summer recruit.

"Jonas is a wonderful signing for us," said Keegan. "A lot of other clubs have been interested in him. He'll be a terrific addition to the squad.

"He's an exciting player and I'm sure our fans will enjoy watching him."

Gutierrez, who has been nicknamed 'Spiderman' because of the webbed mask he puts on for flamboyant goal celebrations, had previously been linked with a £10m move to Portsmouth.

"I cannot tell you how excited I am to be joining Newcastle United," he said.

"The Premier League is a great place to play and I cannot wait to meet my new team-mates and prove myself to the Newcastle United fans."

The player began his career with Velez Sarsfield in Argentina and won the league title with them in 2005 before heading for Spain where he scored five goals in 96 appearances for Real Mallorca.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/7485216.stm

Mr Alan

kinaldo wrote: »

Most coaches leave it to the players to decide who takes the kicks, but apparently Aragonés selects the players himself that he wants to step up.

on this, Rafa decides who takes the penalties with us, does so before every match supposedly.

the reasoning being, if they miss, he shoulders the blame, as opposed to the player.

Charlie

Mr Alan wrote: »

on this, Rafa decides who takes the penalties with us, does so before every match supposedly.

the reasoning being, if they miss, he shoulders the blame, as opposed to the player.

Good philosophy that.

Regarding the signing of Spiderman, it looks positive enough. A performing winger is something we have been lacking for the best part of 4 years, and was an area we desperatley needed to fill when you consider we have Owen up front.

I will admit tht I haven't seen much of this lad, but the fact that he is getting his game in probably the best attacking international team going, and played with a good Mallorca side last year, where La Liga's top scorer was from, he must be doing something right.

Just crossing my fingers that he doesn't turn out to be a Viana mark II.

kinaldo

10 Things you need to know about Newcastle signing Jonas Gutierrez

Death or Glory

Have you guys f*cked Smith out yet or wha'?

Charlie

Death or Glory wrote: »

Have you guys f*cked Smith out yet or wha'?

Not yet, but I have high hopes that he will. Mike Ashley wants to get the spongers off the wage books, and KK didn't use him at all once Viduka and Martins were fit.

He personifies everything that was wrong with us over the last few seasons.

Death or Glory

Fiver says he gets flogged to Hull

Delighted to see him suffer

What comes around goes around!

MuPpItJoCkEy

Informal discussions have taken place over the potential sale of Newcastle to American investors.
It is understood representatives of owner Mike Ashley have met counterparts from New York-based private equity fund InterMedia Partners.

One report on Friday suggested Ashley named a price of £420million - some £286million more than he paid for the club a year ago - and that scuppered any chance of a deal being struck.
Sources in America have confirmed that the US company was interested enough to hold initial talks, although whether that interest persists remains to be seen.

There was no comment from Newcastle on the matter on Friday, although it is not the first time the the club's ownership has hit the headlines again.
In the past, the word from St James' Park has always been that Ashley is building for a sustained future and is not looking to make a quick profit and then get out.

However, that has not stopped repeated talk in the City, and now further afield, that the business is for sale at the right price.
Ashley installed long-time associate Derek Llambias in the new role of managing director at St James' last month following Chris Mort's departure as chairman.

The pair are currently overseeing the club's summer recruitment drive with executive director (football) Dennis Wise and vice-president (player recruitment) Tony Jimenez having provided manager Kevin Keegan with new signing Jonas Guiterrez earlier this week.

But Friday's news will do little to ease the concerns of fans who have seen their club undergo radical change in the last 12 months or so.
Former chairman Freddy Shepherd had already fought off a series of potential takeover bids when Ashley made his move last summer, eventually securing a £134.4million takeover with the minimum of fuss.
He has since ploughed around £100million into the club to address the debt situation he inherited and to strengthen the squad.

However, far from throwing money at the task of dragging the Magpies back into the upper reaches of the Premier League table, he has embarked upon a economy drive in an attempt to slash transfer expenditure and a spiralling wage bill.

Ashley had maintained a low profile, other than donning his black and white shirt on matchdays and at times, celebrating victories among the fans on the City's Quayside.

That has given him ample opportunity to gauge their views, and he wasted little time in dispensing with the services of manager Sam Allardyce in January after just eight months with results taking an alarming turn for the worse.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/07/04/SOCCER_Newcastle.html&TEAMHD=soccer
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3774985,00.html

Mike Ashley, he's must love owning the place. Heart on his sleave and taking the club places. Yeah to the States! But hey, the Americans have done alright with United so far. Wonder what the Liverpudians think about that though!

That would be what, the 10th club in the EPL owned by a foreign owner, wouldn't it.

Mr Alan

The Americans havent done alright with Utd.

Talk to real Utd fans about their opinions on the glaziers and you'll find they fall right in line with Liverpool fans feelings.

In fact its the one thing the two groups agree on.

MuPpItJoCkEy

Real Mallorca are demanding £8million compensation from Newcastle for Argentina international Jonas Gutierrez.
The winger left the Primera Liga side for England on Wednesday after buying out the remaining two years of his contract.
With that effectively making him a free agent, cash-strapped Mallorca are threatening to report the Magpies and the player to FIFA in an attempt to secure a financial package they deem suitable for a player of international pedigree.
The Spanish club's president Vicente Grande claims that they will be left on the brink of administration if the deal is allowed to stand and has urged world football's governing body to intervene.
"Because of our financial crisis, this could really damage us. In fact, it has come at the worst possible time," said Grande.
"We cannot understand the attitude of the player who has done this to force a move to England.
"This matter is not closed because the club has decided to go to FIFA to reclaim our right. The minimum we want to recuperate is the £8million Portsmouth offered us in the winter.''
Despite the president's calls for action, Gutierrez is adamant that he has done nothing wrong and is looking forward to beginning a new chapter in his career.
"My conscience is clear and I am not worried by the actions of Real Mallorca. I just want to play for Newcastle in the Premier League."
Another issue which could scupper Mallorca's plans for compensation involves the dual ownership of Gutierrez that the club shared with his first club Velez Sarsfield.
The Argentinean outfit insist that the winger was due to return to them next season anyway, although they too have suggested that they will be exploring the legalities of the 25-year-old's move to England.
"Jones Gutierrez was due to return to Velez Sarsfield on 1st July in accordance with the contract signed with Mallorca, owners of a 50 per cent stake of his economic rights," said Velez president Alvaro Ballestrini.
"After three seasons on loan at Mallorca he would have had to come back to Velez if Newcastle had not come in."
With confusion now surrounding the transfer Ballestrini has also been quoted as saying that there still remains a possibility that Gutierrez will return to his homeland, rather than the Premier League.
"I want to contact the agent of Jonas and the directors of Newcastle," he told radio station Cadena Sar.
"We have requested the player's presence at training in Buenos Aires on July 7 and after that we will announce our official position."

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/07/04/manual_090936.html&TEAMHD=soccer

While there isn't enough going on with Mike Ashley in supposedly talks about selling up to the Americans and the what to do with Barton question lingering on, you then get Real Mallorca stirring things up too demanding money for a player who bought up his own contract.

Busy at Newcastle isn't it. At least this will keep the Geordie support buying the papers over the summer.

MuPpItJoCkEy

Mr Alan wrote: »

The Americans havent done alright with Utd.

Talk to real Utd fans about their opinions on the glaziers and you'll find they fall right in line with Liverpool fans feelings.

In fact its the one thing the two groups agree on.

Well personally I've been a United fan for 16-18 years. Couldn't pin point a date but a long time and I consider myself a real United fan and I feel that the Americans have done alright at United for the moment.

They have contributed to United. They have backed the manager in the transfer market, there has been success on the pitch and trophies well earned added to the trophy cabinet bringing joy to fans all over the world. On that note, I'm a happy real Manchester United supporter.

Not sure this should be in this thread so I am going to leave it at that.

Mr Alan

MuPpItJoCkEy wrote: »

Well personally I've been a United fan for 16-18 years. Couldn't pin point a date but a long time and I consider myself a real United fan and I feel that the Americans have done alright at United for the moment.

They have contributed to United. They have backed the manager in the transfer market, there has been success on the pitch and trophies well earned added to the trophy cabinet bringing joy to fans all over the world. On that note, I'm a happy real Manchester United supporter.

Not sure this should be in this thread so I am going to leave it at that.

moved to relevant thread

Charlie

Both these stories have me worried, and I feel there is a connection betwee the two.

Guti seems like a class player by all reports, but if what is reported is true, it seems we were trying to do business on the cheap, bigstyle. I have no doubts that Mike Ashley promised KK decent transfer funds when he took over in January, I would imagine between £30-£50 million, just by going by what KK stated in his opening press conference, and all messages coming out of the club at the time.

The club seems to have set idolly by when they had the chance to pay decent money for Arshavin and Arda, and there were rumblings that Mike Ashley had decided to downsize (significantly) his outlay for the summer. The Guti transfer would add credence to these rumours.

The story of the club being sold is potentially more worrying. Ever since Big Mike (maybe soon to be called Fat Mike) took over, there has been rumours that he was looking to sell the club. I genuinely believe most of them were bullshine. However, this latest report comes on the back of some very fish business at Gallowgate, and I believe it holds weight.

Now I know United and Villa have so far had decent tenures with their American owners, and if I am being honest, it's not that they are American that worries me, but it is the fact that it is a private equity firm. For the first time in 15 years, the club is debt free. That is something few EPL teams can boast. Further, if all rumours are to be believed, we were near a Leeds style implosion before MA bailed us out. I dn't want the club to ever return to that position again.

Take Liverpool as an example. They are severely saddled with debt, and the team that is most vulnerable to drop out of the top 4. If they were to miss Champions League football for 2 or more years, things could get very sour. The report suggests that this equity firm would pay £450 odd million fro the club. That boggles me.

If they were paying that sort of money, I know for sure they would be saddling a huge chunk of it on the club. Are Newcastle really in the position to make Champions League football in the next two years? Five years would be a very optimistic time line. However, with the global credit crunch, and the interest that would have to be paid on that loan, NUFC could implode financially, and god knows what would happen.

Perhaps what worries me most is how all this affects KK. I know many of you scoff at Keegan, but he is Newcastle through and through, and one of the few people that have treated the fans with respect and honesty over the years. John and Doug Hall , Freddie Shepard, Gullit, Souness, Mike Ashely; They have all treated the fans as a joke, with contempt, like idiots, or a combination of all three. KK is the peoples King of NUFC.

On top of that, I genuinely believe that he is the man to take us forward. He may not be the best manager in Europe or England, but I feel he is probably the best manager for Newcastle, if that makes sense.

The last time he left, it was on very similar grounds. Promises were broken, and the club were going in a financial direction that would severely restrict him. Both of these stories would seem to indicate that something similar is happening, and KK is a take it or leave it kind of guy. If he feels he is being hoodwinked, and having his promise broken, I can see him packing his bags, and tbh, I wouldn't blame him.

I think now really is the time for MA to step out from the shadows of the Bigg Market, and finally talk to the fans. Let us know where we stand and what direction the club is going in. If he is selling up, I won't be happy about it, but I would have alot more respect for him if he was open and honest with us, rather than keeping stum, and letting his cronies spin us yarns.

kinaldo

Ashley would be pretty mad not to sell for £420m and I'll be amazed if anyone offers anywhere near that. It sounds like just another made up story from the Sun. An idea of the general reaction from fans on an nufc forum:

So the papers' insiders couldn't name our first signing but have somehow got accurate information about secret talks with gagging orders signed.... hmmmmm....

Informal Talks between MA and the USA money men =

"Hey Mike sell us NUFC dude !!"

"Cor Blimey No, don't want to"

"Go on maaaan, you must have a price you'd take"

"Well if you give me £420 million I'll think about it, innit"

The issue here is, the Sun reported it and the rest of the media have ran with the story with nothing else but words written by a Sun Journalists.

The BBC should be fcking ashamed, its exepected off SSN.

I love the caption under the photo of Mike Ashley (who is wearing a Newcastle shirt and standing amongst the Newcastle fans) on the BBC website story: -

"Mike Ashley has kept a low profile as Newcastle chairman".

The BBC used to be a well thought of, serious news organisation.

Nobody is really taking this story seriously. They've been trying to peddle this one from the day he bought the club. The media are anti-Newcastle, simple as.

kinaldo

As for Mallorca looking for millions in compensation, I agree with those saying that is sounds like Newcastle have done their homework, Mallorca have been caught by surprise, and are now desperately trying to get something for a player they could have sold at £8m back in January.

Charlie

Would have to slightly disagree with you Kinaldo. MA is a frugle and astute business man. He didn't pluck the figure of £420 million out of thin air, like Domenach picks a teamsheet. This imo signals intent. It sends out a message that he's willing to sell. Coupled with the fact that the net spend under his reign is about the same that Derby county have spent in the last 2 years, and his efforts to strip the wages down from the club, I smell a rat. Each of these on their own I would be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but there are too many signs that he is prepping the club for a sale.

For the rollercoster ride his ownership of the Toon has been, he owes the fans an explanation of some sort. He needs to let to come forward and signal to us what his intentions are for the next couple of years.

kinaldo

charlie mchugh wrote: »

Would have to slightly disagree with you Kinaldo. MA is a frugle and astute business man. He didn't pluck the figure of £420 million out of thin air, like Domenach picks a teamsheet. This imo signals intent. It sends out a message that he's willing to sell. Coupled with the fact that the net spend under his reign is about the same that Derby county have spent in the last 2 years, and his efforts to strip the wages down from the club, I smell a rat. Each of these on their own I would be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but there are too many signs that he is prepping the club for a sale.

For the rollercoster ride his ownership of the Toon has been, he owes the fans an explanation of some sort. He needs to let to come forward and signal to us what his intentions are for the next couple of years.

Wow... you're actually going by the Sun! I would hazard a guess it was they, and not Ashley, that plucked the figure out of thin air.

Let's review the past 12 months. So far Ashley has wiped out all our debt, paid off Fat Sam's super fat 5 year contract, brought back Keegan (and paying him more than Alex Ferguson according to reports), has just signed an Argentinian international, and has recently had a club RECORD bid rejected.

Yes, many signs that he is prepping the club for a sale indeed. I'm sure it's all he talks about amongst the fans on those away game trips.

You're right though, he is an astute businessman, and given the financial state the club was in when he took over, I would expect nothing less in terms of wage cutbacks and a general overhaul in how the club does business.

Sure Derby have probably spent more than Arsenal so I wouldn't go by that.

Charlie

kinaldo wrote: »

Wow... you're actually going by the Sun! I would hazard a guess it was they, and not Ashley, that plucked the figure out of thin air.

Let's review the past 12 months. So far Ashley has wiped out all our debt, paid off Fat Sam's super fat 5 year contract, brought back Keegan (and paying him more than Alex Ferguson according to reports), has just signed an Argentinian international, and has recently had a club RECORD bid rejected.

Yes, many signs that he is prepping the club for a sale indeed. I'm sure it's all he talks about amongst the fans on those away game trips.

You're right though, he is an astute businessman, and given the financial state the club was in when he took over, I would expect nothing less in terms of wage cutbacks and a general overhaul in how the club does business.

Sure Derby have probably spent more than Arsenal so I wouldn't go by that.

You make some good points, but I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Charlie

Looks like this story was more than something dreamt up by fleet street.

From skysports.com

Reports on Friday claimed Newcastle had held informal discussions with American investors over the sale of the club.

It was suggested that owner Mike Ashley stated he would be willing to sell for a fee of £420million - around £286million more than he paid for the club last summer.

However, later on Friday, Newcastle rubbished reports of takeover talks and a £420million price-tag.

But a spokesman for InterMedia Partners has claimed that the New York-based company were contacted by an unnamed party with regards to a buyout, but had no interest in taking the matter any further.

"InterMedia was approached about a deal, made no offer and has no interest," a spokesman told the BBC.

This puts a whole new slant on the story. It was bad enough, imo, when it seemed like our Owner was open to an offer being made, but now it seems that someone has been courting a bid on behalf of Mike Ashley. I think this confirms what I suspected about all the recent warning signs that have been coming from the club.

I said it before, but now I really feel Mike ashley himself has to come out and be straight with the fans, rather than hiding behind various spokesmen.

smog

kinaldo wrote: »

I have a feeling we're in for a frustrating summer. But I'm not complaining, not yet anyway. Spain have brought me more joy in 5 games this summer than Newcastle have in 15 years. Although I've been a sympathiser / supporter of the Spanish national team for just as long, so maybe the balance of power is shifting and the time of the perennial underachievers is upon us... all we need now is a few Spanish imports!

Was thinking its a bit early for a new thread.... then read the rest of thread and back to been depressed again ... just what we need, more uncertainity.

Charlie

Looks like were signing Guthrie from Liverpool. Haven't seen enough to rate him, but a few of my Liverpool supporting friends seem to rate him, and I think he is being singed as one of the players Keegan said he needed to build a squad.

Also, Shay has said he is committed to staying with the club which is always good to hear.

Mr Alan

Mike Ashley wrote:

Amid speculation that there have been discussions between his representatives and American private equity fund InterMedia Partners - and, more intriguingly, the Saudi Binladin Group, Ashley said: "I am keen to have partners in Newcastle. That's a very expensive seat I sit in. I think I'll start with people from Newcastle.

"It's not as if I'm going to go and see Bin in a cave in Afghanistan and say, 'good morning, come and sit next to me. Is that a rucksack you've got with you? Oh, good'."

nice work

Charlie

Mr Alan wrote: »

nice work

That's Big Mike for you. Says sweet FA for about a year, and then comes out with that dross.