Is Van Buyten Using
Newcastle? It Would Seem So...
It has been revealed to Newcastle-Online.com that Daniel Van Buyten's
agent is no other than Christophe Henrotay who also represents
Mido. A player you may remember who made similar claims this
time last year that he had been in talks with Newcastle United, when
in fact he hadn't.
Back in May 2004 the Egyptian striker, now at Spurs on an 18-month
loan deal, claimed: "I may have a meeting in the next couple of
days with Sir Bobby Robson to discuss a possible transfer to Newcastle."
Apparently a favourite ploy of Henrotay's is to use the appeal of
the English Premiership and alleged interest from it's cash rich club's
in an attempt to get his clients a better deal or to force the hand
of bigger clubs to sign his man.
In Van Buyten's case German Champions Bayern Munich who are rumoured
to have expressed an interest in the Belgian centre-half but prefer
Werder Bremen's defender Valérien Ismaël according to our source in
Germany who would it appears to be a cheaper alternative than the
Hamburg Captain.
Indeed they were very close to signing him but after Bayern beat VFB
Stuttgart on the final day or the season, they effectively handed
Bremen a Champions League place and with it an incentive to keep their
prized defender. Technical Director Uli Hoeness recently claimed:
"If we hadn't won our game in Stuttgart, then we would have already
had Ismaël."
Whether Bayern go back in for Ismael or decide to follow up their
interest in Van Buyten for real remains to be seen. If they do snap
up Ismael, Werder will turn to the Belgian to replace their outgoing
defender so it looks like Van Buyten could well be on the move either
way.
Citing a desire to play in the Champions League both club's could
offer him that opportunity and it is thought he has his sights set
on a move to Bayern.
Which is all the more bizarre given that just over a week ago, Henrotay
responded to the speculation by stating: "Many clubs have had a
look at him, but there's no concrete offer and Hamburg hasn't signaled
that they are ready to sell Daniel. We believe that he will remain
with Hamburg."
And United's alleged interest? It would seem that Newcastle are mere
pawns in a transfer merry-go-round game involving a player who's stock
has grown after an excellent season that seen him labled the best
defender in the Bundesliga - making a select XI.
Don't put your shirt on the player playing in it next season.
Daniel Van Buyten Latest
Following press speculation linking Belgian defender and one time
Toon target Daniel Van Buyten with a move to Newcastle yesterday,
the player himself has today claimed that he has had talks with Graeme
Souness apparently.
Quotes attributed to Van Buyten:
"I have spoken to Graeme Souness and he said that he wants
me and five or six others.
"He said that he wants to rebuild and that next season Newcastle are
going for the Champions League at least. He also said that Newcastle
will even try for the Premier League title.
"He told me that I will play alongside Jean-Alain Boumsong and that
Boumsong already knows.
"I do not know yet if I will even leave Hamburg but they are not in
Europe next season and I want to play in the Champions League, that
is my ambition."
More quotes from the player, taken from a Belgian newspaper and kindly
translated by Bartos, Belgian Toon fan and Newcastle-Online.com
regular:
According to the British media Newcastle
wants to buy you. There would have been offerred already 5 to 9 million
euro to Hamburg.
"There is interest from Bremen and Newcastle. That only proves that
I've had a good season at HSV. I feel by the way very good at Hamburg,
it's not that I absolutely want to leave. But if clubs like Bremen
and especially Newcastle show their interest it's normal that you
negotiate."
Hamburg isn't playing European football next season. It doesn't
seem anything for you.
"HSV is ambitious, otherwise you don't buy a player like Van Der Vaart.
But I've always said that I want to play Champions League."
Newcastle has only qualified for intertoto.
"But the club is very ambitious. I've already had a talk with manager
Graeme Souness. He told me the club wants at least a Champions League
ticket next season and they even wanna compete for the Premier League
title. And central defender Boumsong, who joint half a year ago from
Rangers, has already declared that he wants to play at my side next
season."
You were at Manchester City before, but an injury ruined it for
you over there. Do you absolutely want to prove yourself again in
England?
"The Premier League is for me still the most beautiful league of the
world, I really want to play there again. I've also been a few times
in Newcastle. As city it's not Hamburg, but after all it's about football.
But all depends on the clubs, they have to agree."
This article it would seem is the source of the quotes that the British
press have picked up on. Whether there is any truth in these quotes,
remains to be seen but Newcastle-Online.com understands that the German
media have not yet picked up the story and a Hamburg supporter has
wrote in to claim that Van Buyten is hoping to clinch a move to Bayern
Munich and will use Newcastle to force the German club's hand.
So, don't go building your hopes up just yet lads and lasses. It's
silly season and we are being linked with every Tom, Dick and Daniel.
Until they sign on the dotted line...
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Robert A Wanted Man
By French side Toulouse it would seem.
Quotes attributed to the Toulouse manager, Erick Mombaert:
I confirm that we were in talks with Laurent Robert.
"We met, but for the moment nothing is done.
"There remains for him one year of his contract with Newcastle and
I do not know where he is with negotiations with them."
Robert himself on the speculation:
"I have had no
talks with the Toulouse officials.
"They just talked with my agent.
"My priority is England. But we will see what they propose."
Toon International Round-Up
Jermaine Jenas featured in both
of England's two USA Tour matches, playing the full 90 minutes in
the 3-Lions' 2-1 win over the home nation on Saturday evening and
in last night's 3-2 win over Colombia - where alleged Toon target
Michael Owen grabbed himself a hat-trick to overtake Alan Shearer
in the goalscoring charts.
Playing alongside Geordie Michael Carrick in both games, JJ put in
two decent performances in Sven's understrength side.
Jean-Alain Boumsong also played a full 90 minutes for his country
France in their 2-1 win over Hungary last night. |
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