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發表於 2006-8-23 16:06:44
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Harry's bid for Martins
By Luke Edwards, The Journal
Glenn Roeder was anxiously waiting for a final decision from Obafemi Martins last night after Portsmouth made a last-ditch attempt to hijack Newcastle's £10m bid for the Nigerian international.
United remain confident they will finally complete the signing of the first of two new strikers before their trip to Aston Villa at the weekend. But Pompey's efforts to disrupt the deal by offering extravagant personal terms to the Inter Milan frontman have been an unwanted worry in what has already been a lengthy and frustrating pursuit of new recruits.
The Magpies agreed a fee for Martins yesterday but have been unable to confirm the capture of the highly-rated 21-year-old because his agent had returned to Italy to discuss the move with him.
In an era of mass global communication it appeared to be a strange sort of delay to the transfer, given the fact the player had already claimed on Monday that 80% of the discussions had already been completed.
And the last thing Newcastle need after losing out to Liverpool in the fight for Dutch international Dirk Kuyt is to see another target slip away at the last moment.
There are few clubs in the Premiership who pay more generous salaries than Newcastle but Pompey's new multi-millionaire owner Alexandre Gaydamak has given the South Coast club considerable financial clout. And, like Roeder, Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is just as desperate for new faces.
Nevertheless, Martins is aware of United's far larger profile and the promise of European football should also help to persuade the striker to decide on the North-East.
Indeed, before last night's late move by Pompey, Martins intimated he would be completing his move to Tyneside tomorrow.
Even if Martins does finally seal his switch to St James's Park, Roeder is still looking to bring in another forward before the transfer window closes at the end of the month and chairman Freddie Shepherd is believed to be in talks regarding another target.
Wayne Bridge is also a good bet to wear the black and white stripes this season, presuming Arsenal's Ashley Cole finally moves to Chelsea, while Newcastle remain hopeful Real Madrid's Thomas Gravesen will turn down an approach from Celtic to play for the Magpies. Meanwhile, Jean-Alain Boumsong completed a £3.3m move to Juventus last night. After constant suggestions the French international would only leave on loan to join a club in France, Juventus have not only signed him but are also paying a significant fee.
The Italians have also agreed to play a lucrative friendly at St James's Park next summer, by which time they will hope to have returned to Serie A after their relegation for match fixing.
While United have still taken a sizeable loss on the £8.5m they paid Glasgow Rangers in 2005, the money is expected to reinvested which, presuming Martins does sign, would take Roeder's summer spending to around £20m.
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發表於 2006-8-23 17:05:04
發表於 2006-8-23 22:07:52
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