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Antoine makes Newcastle exit
Antoine Sibierski began the search for a new club last night after refusing the offer of a one-year contract at Newcastle.
Former United manager Glenn Roeder was keen to reward the Frenchman for some important performances at St James's Park last season.
However, it is understood the club's new manager Sam Allardyce was less enthusiastic about his future and Sibierski has decided to leave the club.
Sibierski was a shock, and initially unpopular, transfer deadline day signing from Manchester City last August, but he became a cult figure on Tyneside with some impressive displays, particularly in Europe.
That led to a new contract offer from Roeder in January but, as The Journal revealed in March, talks broke down because the player felt he deserved a longer deal.
"Antoine has turned down Newcastle's offer of a new one-year deal as he was holding out for a two-year deal," said Sibierski's agent Willie McKay yesterday in an attempt to put his client in the shop window.
"Antoine had a great time at Newcastle, but he is now prepared to move on. He is feeling fit and he believes that he can play on at the highest level for several more years.
"He is available on a free transfer and I am speaking to a few clubs who are very keen on him. Antoine is open to offers and he is keen to get something sorted very quickly."
While the 32-year-old's efforts were appreciated by most supporters, few will be sorry to see him leave as Allardyce attempts to rebuild the club into a Champions League contender.
While he weighed in with some important goals early in the season, he had not scored since March, while four of his eight strikes came against weaker European opposition.
Sibierski's exit, though, will raise concerns about the future of the popular Nolberto Solano, who is also out of contract this summer.
Like Sibierski, Solano has still not signed a new contract, although The Journal understands the club will still take up the option of another year they agreed when he returned to the club from Aston Villa two years ago.
Allardyce is keen to work with the Peruvian, who has expressed a desire to return to South America to end his playing career, in his first season in charge at St James's Park.
Solano re-invented himself as the club's first-choice right-back last season and his versatility on the right flank will make him an important part of the first-team squad for at least another 12 months.
Nevertheless, while his club career looks secure, Solano has been forced to concede that he has played his last game for his country.
He said: "The national team is a closed chapter as the coach does not count on me. Since (Julio Cesar) Uribe assumed control he never called me up as he did with other overseas players.
"I'm always open to dialogue with him, but until now there has been nothing. I'm not resentful and I wish with all my heart that Peru have a wonderful Copa America and World Cup qualifiers."
Meanwhile, United transfer target Mark Viduka has still not given any indication about where he will be playing his football next season.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is still hoping the striker will remain on Teesside, but the Australian has flown back to Melbourne without giving his manager an answer and fears are growing at the Riverside Stadium that the 31-year-old intends to leave. A new contract offer was presented to him several months ago and, although captain and England international Jonathan Woodgate has already agreed to stay, Viduka continues to stall.
Newcastle are just one of several clubs to have expressed an interest in the former Leeds United centre-forward, with Portsmouth and Italian side Genoa also keen on a player who scored 18 goals in a struggling side last season.
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發表於 2007-5-23 19:54:09
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