NUFC Transfer Rumours

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Well, it depends on Barca want to keep him...

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Reds threaten Baines deal

Newcastle United transfer target Leighton Baines could have his head turned by Liverpool after his boyhood heroes joined the race to sign him from Wigan Athletic.

The England Under-21 defender had told a close pal in football he’d love to be pulling on a black-and- white shirt next season and running out at St James’ Park after deciding his days were numbered at the Latics.

Left-back Baines, 22, would like to quit the JJB Stadium because his mentor Paul Jewell has left the club and he fears his international future hangs in the balance until he signs for a bigger club.

The Merseysider has been overlooked by Steve McClaren for recent senior squads with the player no longer eligible for the Under-21s after this summer’s European Championships in Holland.

It’s no secret Newcastle are desperate for a new left-back at St James’ Park and Baines fits the bill after impressing Sam Allardyce when he was boss at Bolton.

But it’s also no secret that Baines supported Liverpool throughout his childhood before starting his career at the Liverpool Centre of Excellence and then moving on to Wigan.

That means he may find it hard to resist a move to Anfield, even though he would not be guaranteed a regular game under ‘tinkerman’ Rafa Benitez as he would at Newcastle.

Baines’ price is set at no lower than £5m but Liverpool’s interest has put another obstacle in front of Newcastle with Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton and Man United also keen.

The well-documented conflict between Sports Soccer tycoon Mike Ashley and Wigan chairman and JJB founder Dave Whelan also won’t help United’s bid to win his services.

Whelan once reportedly cautioned his business rival Ashley and said: “There’s a club in the North, son, and you're not part of it.”

And a close friend of Baines said: “He is keen on Newcastle but feels that there could be issues between two of the main figures at the respective clubs.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle are also considering a second look at Congo international striker Shabani Nonda who was at Blackburn on loan last season from AS Roma.

United were keeping tabs on Nonda last season under Glenn Roeder and, although Allardyce will have his own ideas in the transfer market, the player is still within the Magpies’ sights and would be available at a knockdown fee.

The 30-year-old forward failed to hit the heights in Serie A with Roma after a goal-filled career in Switzerland and then France.

Nonda struck 36 goals in 75 games for FC Zurich before springing to prominence in France with 31 for Rennes and 57 for Monaco during an era of Champions League football when the principality club reached the final only to lose 3-0 to FC Porto.

Nonda then moved to Roma but struggled to recapture his form in one of Europe’s top leagues before being farmed out to Ewood Park last term.

Yet although Nonda shone at times for Blackburn under Mark Hughes, netting nine goals for the Lancashire club, the striker isn’t convinced that Rovers are the club for him.

Nonda would also offer some physical presence and strength for United too as Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann knows only too well after breaking THREE bones in his hand after a challenge with him during the final game of last season.

Despite the fact that Blackburn have first option and are prepared to splash £2m to land Nonda, he may turn his nose up at the prospect of a permanent move to Ewood Park.

Source: icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk

[kennethlindheim]

Fuck no to Nonda.

[kennethlindheim]

REPORTS are rife that Australia striker Mark Viduka is set to switch English Premier League clubs before the weekend, signing for Newcastle United from Middlesbrough.

The Socceroos World Cup star would join the Toon Army on a free transfer, since he is out of contract at Boro, and link up with respected coach Sam Allardyce, who recently joined the Magpies from Bolton Wanderers.

Allardyce also knocked back the chance to coach England last year before former Boro boss Steve McLaren, who signed Viduka from Leeds United in 2004, took over from Sven Goran Eriksson in the wake of another World Cup failure.


Viduka would be Allardyce's first high-profile signing, possibly joining England's Michael Owen up front, although separate rumours have linked Owen with a move to London giant Arsenal.

Regardless, Viduka would be a valuable addition to the Magpies strikeforce.


He scored 14 goals for Gareth Southgate's Boro last season, and was a consistent performer up front for Celtic and Leeds United before moving to the Riverside.

Unfortunately, his international goal-scoring has been rather less impressive, with just six goals from 38 appearances in the green and gold.

Newcastle appears to have seen off Portsmouth as thhe club Viduka wants to join, and location may be the reason.

The man known as the V-Bomber will now be able to stay in the north-east of England, where he has played for Middlesbrough since 2004, rather than moving to the south coast.

Viduka joining Toon Army - Football - Fox Sports

[Pennywise]

If Atletico Madrids Paplo is available, we should give Everton a fight to get him IMO!

Strong and tall defender with much experience, and still have long future left.

I know that Luque has been controversial at St.James...but you can't compare with that.

[kennethlindheim]

If we have Pablo, Ben Haim, Taylor and another good centre back at the beginning of the season, I would be happy.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Is Pablo being linked to Newcastle?

[kennethlindheim]

No. But he is a player we should go for.

[kennethlindheim]

NIGEL REO-COKER has begged Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce to end his West Ham nightmare.

Reo-Coker is desperate to quit Upton Park and would love the chance to link up with Allardyce at St James’ Park.

Big Sam, who continues to track Manchester City bad-boy Joey Barton, tried to land the England Under-21 skipper for Bolton last season but Hammers boss Alan Curbishley refused to let him go.

Now, with Scott Parker on his way to East London, Reo-Coker wants a chance to fill the void.

New Trotters boss Sammy Lee continues to keep tabs on the midfielder, 23, who is available for around £8million.

His agent Tony Finnegan said: “Sam Allardyce knows how to get in contact with Nigel and we would welcome a call.

“If Sam said he wanted to speak, Nigel would be on the train in a shot. It would be very interesting to see what his plans are for Newcastle.”

The Sun Online - Football: Reo-Coker in Toon plea

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Swap deal then maybe?

[kennethlindheim]

I would rather have Barton, even though he is a asshole

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I predict Barton will end up at Everton.

[kennethlindheim]

Newcastle United have joined the race to sign Czech international defender David Rozehnal.

The Paris Saint Germain star is the subject of a bid from Borussia Dortmund, but now Newcastle have entered the battle for his signature.

The 26-year-old has been a rock at the heart of the PSG defence for the last two years since joining from Club Brugge.

Dortmund looked clear favourites to land Rozehnal, but now his representatives have confirmed Newcastle are now very much in the running as new boss Sam Allardyce targets some much needed defensive reinforcements.

Pavel Zika admits that talks between PSG and Borussia are not going as smoothly as they could.

"After a meeting between PSG and Borussia representatives it seemed the deal would be done easily, but now it looks that the negotiations will be very tough," he said.

"Also, Newcastle are yet to have their strong say."

Vikor Kolar - who works with Zika, admitted that Rozehnal's future will be decided by PSG.

"It will depend which side hand PSG the most financially interesting offer," he told Sport.

"Both destinations [Borussia and Newcastle] have their magic, but PSG will have the final word. David is going to consider his future after Saturday's match against Wales."

Allardyce is a known fan of Rozehnal after trying to sign him for Bolton as recently as January and he has wasted little time in rekindling his interest.

Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World

[Mighty T.A.L.]

He's a decent defender but no more than that.