30th April 2005
Index:
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Birmingham
City
Blackburn
Rovers
Bolton
Wanderers
Charlton
Athletic
Chelsea
Crystal
Palace
Everton
Fulham
Liverpool
Manchester
City
Manchester
United
Middlesbrough
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion
Europe
Conclusion?
So Graeme Souness wants to bring in players who have Premiership experience
or who can perform in the League, then? Well lets take a look at our
Premiership rivals and see who is available, who could be available
and who we could potentially attract.
Buying From Aston Villa?
If the numerous reports that David O'Leary is to be handed "significant
funds" next season are to be believed, the former Leeds manager
will be looking to bring in new faces, not see some old ones leave.
Like at Newcastle however, there could be a bigger than usual turnover
of players at Villa Park come the Summer as they like the Toon are
badly in need of some fresh talent to bolster what is an average squad.
The two players that stand out are Nolberto Solano
and Gareth Barry. Both have been linked in the past
month or so as possible transfer targets of Souness'. Indeed the United
manager tried to bring Nobby back hyem in January (or so he claims
to have anyway). Whether that was spin to get fans on his side, fans
who were against his sale in the first place and who are still angry
about it to this day judging by the thoughts of those who use the
forum, we can only speculate on. Needless to say, we need a right
winger and Souness certainly needs some friends on the stands so it
would make sense. Signing the little Peruvian would alleviate some
of those right side problems we are having and win the Scot some approval
no doubt. Whether Villa would want to sell a player who has performed
wonders for them since arriving is another thing altogether though.
Yet if United were serious about bringing him back to Tyneside, I
don't think the Midlands side would have much of a say in this day
and age of player power. By all accounts he'd welcome a return having
never wanted to leave in the first place but at 30 years of age now,
lacking pace and weighing up the 'never go back' factor, is wor Nobby
really the answer to our prayers?
I'd prefer some pace and power down the flanks myself for a change
and although Nobby's creativity would certainly be a welcome addition,
he's not the answer in my opinion. Worth considering but I'd prefer
it if we looked elsewhere for our right-sided fix ideally.
Gareth Barry on the other hand would be a good signing, I'd welcome
his arrival. The tall, powerful Villa man can play at left-back, centre-half,
central midfield or on the left flank and this versatility, the fact
he's English, hard working and an experienced Premiership player,
would no doubt appeal to Souness who has cited these 'ingredients'
as things he's looking for in a potential new signing.
Barry hasn't lived up to his early promise since making his breakthrough
at an early age which could be down to being played in numerous positions
(ring any alarm bells?) but he's a quality player alright and better
than what we have. At the right price, he could prove a bargain.
I doubt Villa would be willing to sell him though and any interest
could be met with demands of ridiculous money. We could of course
use certain players as bait or in part-ex for Barry... or even Solano.
Maybe Lee Bowyer plus cash for Barry? Maybe Craig Bellamy in a straight
swap for Barry? I'd be happy with the first one but if we were to
use Bellamy in that way, we could swap him for a better player than
Barry, surely?
Next up, a look at who is available, who could be available and who
we could potentially attract from Birmingham City.
Write In... Who would you like Newcastle to sign
in the Summer? Write in with your suggestions, reasons for your choices
and what these players would bring to the squad and we will publish
your thoughts on these very pages. Send in your suggestions using
the below e-mail form:
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