Magpies sign Smith

[kennethlindheim]

Sky Sports News understands Newcastle United are holding talks with Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

The former Leeds United forward has fallen down the pecking order under Sir Alex Ferguson and is keen to secure first-team football.

Middlesbrough were thought to be leading the chase for the England international, but The Magpies have now moved to the head of the queue.

Sam Allardyce is keen to strengthen his squad and is set to boost his transfer kitty after agreeing a fee with West Ham for pacey midfielder Kieron Dyer.

Smith made just nine Premier League appearances for The Red Devils last term after recovering from the broken leg suffered against Liverpool.

A move to St James' Park could see Smith renew his partnership with Mark Viduka, whom he played alongside during their days at Elland Road.

Sky Sports | Football | News | Magpies in talks for Smith | The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World

Think if he has a good string of games we could see the best out of him.
Good strong player, different from Dyer but that's not always a bad thing.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I think Smith is a quality striker but an average player on the midfield.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I'm beginning to be a bit frustrated when Big Sam now have turn his eyes on United trash.This is not the way to go if they have ambitions to win trophies.He's at Heskey level.

[kennethlindheim]

First he is quality, and two hours later he is trash. You are contradicting yourself, you idiot.

[Trim]

^ LOL, indeed.

Smith is decent, would be a good addition to Newcastle.

But how is he going to play starter at Newcastle I can't get the picture.

Martins - Viduka gotta be the Newcastle duo. Or, you guys play 4-3-3?

[kennethlindheim]

Well, we have played 4-4-2 in the training games so I suppose that we will use that formation regulary.

He is brought in as a direct replacement for Dyer, which is weird. Dyer and Smith is very unlike, so I'm a little confused with how Allardyce will play him.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I think Allardyce is much as confuse as you are since he sees Smith as a replacement for Dyer.

[unitedfan]

They are very unalike in style, but the idea is that Dyer can play winger, CM (albeit not brilliantly) and forward and Smith can play winger (though he doesn't do it often, he's done it well in the past), CM and forward. So in term of the positions they cover, it's a well thought-out move, and it's the kind of switch Allardyce does make on the market.

Allardyce could play him on the right of a 3 man attack, but with more emphasis on physicallity and working than Dyer, who goes for speed and technique. That, I think, is where Allardyce plans to play Smith, hence his comparison to Dyer. That he can play in other areas too is a huge squad bonus.

[kennethlindheim]

ALAN Smith has signed for Newcastle United on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Newcastle United.

The England star becomes Sam Allardyce's fifth signing of the summer, and links up with former Leeds team-mates Mark Viduka and James Milner.

The 26-year-old trained with his Magpie colleagues on Friday and could make his debut in Sunday's friendly against Sampdoria at St.James' Park.

Breaking News: Magpies Sign Smith | Newcastle United | News | Latest News | Latest News

Good that it was sorted quickely. He is competitive, technically good, can play in two or three positions, physically strong. Good signing.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

More players to come.

[Trim]

ALAN Smith has signed for Newcastle United on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Newcastle United.

According to my reliable source transfermarkt.de, Newcastle paid 9 million Euros for him.

9 million Euros = 6.06719621 million British pounds

[kennethlindheim]

Chopra to Sunderland for £5m and Smith to NUFC for £6m. I say it's a reasonable fee.

[Pennywise]

Good signing, even its not the position(s) we HAD to reinforce.

Michael Owen
Oba Martins
Mark Viduka
Shola Ameobi
Albert Luque
Alan Smith

The striker situation have been worse. Smith and Luque can also play on the mdifield...but IMO sell Luque now and perhaps loan out Ameobi, maybe for some months to he can get practice after a long time outside the field.

But I hope N'castle do not stop here, because where is the most important signs - the defenders ?

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Originally Posted by kennethlindheim

Chopra to Sunderland for £5m and Smith to NUFC for £6m. I say it's a reasonable fee.

You can't compare with Chopra deal because that was a real idiot deal by Sunderland.

[kennethlindheim]