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發表於 2007-7-10 17:19:14
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Dash to lure top stopper
SAM Allardyce rushed from Newcastle United’s training camp in Austria in an attempt to complete his fifth signing of the summer after a frantic weekend of mobile phone calls finally paid off.
Allardyce, who has already lured Joey Barton, Geremi, David Rozehnal and Mark Viduka to St James’s Park, was co-ordinating the intensive training sessions at the camp in Stegersbach, but departed suddenly on Sunday to conduct personal negotiations with his latest transfer target.
United’s manager, who met the player for face-to-face talks yesterday, had refused to halt his attempts to reshape the United squad he inherited from Glenn Roeder during the get-together on the Continent and has been working tirelessly to secure deals for a number of players. The new signing, thought to be a defender, is expected to be confirmed as a United player in the next 48 hours following Allardyce’s personal effort to meet him.
The Journal also understands that several conversations have taken place between the Newcastle boss and Barcelona officials, with the Magpies still pondering the possibility of signing striker Eidur Gudjohnsen and defender Edmilson.
United have also been attempting to clarify Deco’s position at the Nou Camp. The Catalan club were keen to sell the Brazil-born Portugal international earlier in the summer to make room for Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, but they have become increasingly concerned they will not be able to prise the England international away from Stamford Bridge.
As a result, sources in Barcelona have begun to claim that the club are going on a charm offensive with Deco by offering him the vice-captaincy in an effort to appease him over their long-standing interest in Lampard. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old is keen to play in England and could still be persuaded to leave Spain if Newcastle can convince him that they are no longer going to be Premiership also-rans.
The Magpies were also reportedly attempting to sign Manchester United left-back Gabriel Heinze yesterday, although sources close to the player have quickly distanced the Argentinian from a move to the North-East. It is no secret that Allardyce is looking to sign a new left-back this summer and that Heinze is likely to leave Old Trafford after a disappointing season.
However, like Wes Brown, another player Allardyce was rumoured to be interested in this summer, Newcastle’s manager does not believe he will be able to get the 29-year-old to leave the reigning Premiership champions for Tyneside.
Heinze, who is playing for his country in the Copa America, has attracted interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona, as well as Liverpool. Newcastle are not high on his preferred list of destinations should he leave Manchester.
The Red Devils are reluctant to sell the defender to traditional arch rivals Liverpool, but would listen to offers from a club on the Continent, as well as Newcastle.
Meanwhile, Steven Taylor has revealed he would be happy if Newcastle United became one of the most hated teams in the country under Allardyce.
Taylor, who has not been with the rest of the United squad in Austria because of his involvement in the European Under-21 Championship last month, is hoping to see St James’s Park become the formidable fortress of old under Allardyce.
The Magpies were beaten seven times on home soil last season, but Taylor believes Newcastle can once again make it one of the most unpopular destinations in the country to visit.
He said: “We would like to be hated. People hated Bolton for the way they played and I would be happy with that. It has been successful the way they have been playing.
“I think one thing we need to bring up here is to make everyone hate coming to St James’ Park. We need to make it a horrible place to come to now.” |
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發表於 2007-7-10 16:52:18
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發表於 2007-7-10 17:15:37
發表於 2007-7-10 20:46:41
作為一個紐卡素球迷都唔覺得迪高會去紐卡素喇
