In The Know: Rumour Review - 21st June
By Kasper Hakunti On Thu 21 Jun 2007 |
After securing the first two signings of his Newcastle career, Allardyce is stepping up the chase for some defensive recruits. The Newcastle defense is seriously lacking in quantity as in quality and Allardyce has made it clear that the focus from now on will be in reinforcing the much ridiculed back four. Today we’ll be looking at the players rumoured to be in Sam’s sights.
One player who appears to be on the brink of a move is David Rozehnal. The Czech international has been linked with a move in every paper you can dig out but Newcastle aren’t alone in the race to sign the defender. Borussia Dortmund also seem to be keen on the PSG man but it’s hard to keep track of his future destination atleast if you ask SkySports. Just in one month they’ve managed to move the player between north east England and Germany quite a few times. Have a look at these June titles:
1st June 07 Newcastle move for Czech
4th June 07 Magpies head race for Rozehnal
6th June 07 Magpies close on Rozehnal
12th June 07 Rozehnal race nearing finish
13th June 07 Magpies transfer ‘not imminent’
18th June 07 Dortmund ahead for Rozehnal
19th June 07 Toon favourites for Czech
20th June 07 Defender calm over Magpies move
Should Rozehnal decide against a move to St James’, there are plenty of other options. Several papers are linking Allardyce with Marseille’s Habib Beye and Liverpool’s Sami Hyypiä. These experienced defenders seem to be players suiting Allardyce’s plans of pairing England U-21 defender Steven Taylor with a player capable of helping his development. Exactly for this reason rumours of interest in West Brom’s Curtis Davies are wide of the mark.
Finally we’ve been informed by an extremely reliable source that Wigan full back Leighton Baines will be signing the papers now that the U-21 tournament is over. Problem is that we’re still a little undecided whether the destination is Stadium of Light or St James’ Park. According to The Mirror Roy Keane is confident in landing the player but our source insist that the prospect of competing with world class acts like Celestine Babayaro will lure him to join the Allardyce revolution.
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If we can seal the deal on Rosenzhal that’ll be a relief and we all hope that it’ll be followed up fairly quickly with 2 or 3 more defenders. I’d be more than happy with a left back plus a versatile defender who can play full back or cb. If we have this 10 million compensation for Owen, we might as well lay out the cash needed. I’d go for Bridge and would pay 7M (seems like Chelsea might be happy with that if they’d let him go)…plus………dunno…maybe Habib Baye, though never seen him play. Sounds ideal though but.
Sent in on: June 25th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
I think that ALLADYCE is right.Our defence is poor and we need big,strong defenders.A GOOD SIGNING would be Man. Citys Sylvain Distin.We could also buy Nick Shorey or PASCAL CHIMBONDA.
Sent in on: June 22nd, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Whatever, I think that if we can build a squad with enough talent and commitment, I hope that we can keep continuity for a few seasons. As many years as possible. It seems that signing players is such a painstaking process and it surely makes sense to keep everyone at the club, happy and settled. Aside from Carr and Babayaro, I’m not sure we should sell any player if we don’t have to. Finding replacements is not easy (even those sometimes scorned – like Dyer and Emre – could still be class with the right management & motivation).
I’d like to see us sign 3 or 4 defenders, plus Boateng, with only possibly Carr/Bab going. If Owen does go…..maybe Kanoute if B.S could get 3 good years out of him. Let’s hope that Owen still proves a good signing for us, against the odds!
Sent in on: June 21st, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Leighton Baines would be a quality signing, and I hope we can get Rozehnal wrapped up this week and move onto the next centre half (beye or Hyypia would be quality) and a right back (Gianni Zuiverloon - Dutch u21 or Sagna), and then onto the futures of Owen and Martins.
Sent in on: June 21st, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Wouldnt mind Baines at all, Babayaro is a muppet. We need two centre halfs and a right back too.
Flog Owen quick and get Babel(looks quality), Keep Oba and get Luque firing.
I thought things were going to be moving quickly but after Viduka and Barton things seem to have stalled. C`mon Big Sam
Sent in on: June 21st, 2007 at 12:29 pm
All three would be good buys. I’m gutted about the Barton signing though and as far as signing Bellamy well its just silly, there’ll be enough problems with Barton. A far as defenders go I hope Sam gives young Edgar a chance, the 6ft 5ins defender is in Canada for the U-20 World Cup where he has recently scored against Argentina !!
Sent in on: June 21st, 2007 at 11:30 am
World class was obviously sarcasm..
Sent in on: June 21st, 2007 at 10:10 am
Babayaro, world class ? Don’t make me laugh. Leighton Baines would be a terrific signing as would Sami Hyypia and David Rozehnal would be good competition for a place and I highly rate the Senegalese workhorse defender Habib Beye must be a target
Sent in on: June 21st, 2007 at 2:47 am