ohhh_yeah

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.” from Journal Sport on icNewcastle

William Gallas yesterday confirmed the rumours that he wants to follow Thierry Henry out of Arsenal by claiming they lacked ambition and stating that "several players are questioning the club's future" ­ even though they are poised to launch a £13m bid to sign Newcastle United's Obafemi Martins later this week. The signing of Martins, after the £16m departure of Thierry Henry, would add to the £8m purchase of Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva as Arsène Wenger reshapes his forward line. The Arsenal manager is also adding to his defensive options with the former French Under-21 right-back Bakary Sagna arriving in London last night for talks after Arsenal agreed a fee, thought to be close to £7m, with Auxerre. Sagna, 24, has pushed for the move to the Emirates for some time and even threatened to boycott pre-season training. Martins is yet to make up his mind on whether he wants to quit Newcastle. However, he has told the club that if he stays he wants a significant rise on his £60,000-a-week contract, which would take him close to the top earner, Michael Owen, who is paid more than £100,000 a week. If the demand is rejected, as appears almost certain, the 22-year-old Nigerian will press for a move and has a buyout clause which Arsenal are prepared to trigger. The purchases ­ to add to the arrival of the Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski for £2m and the promising Harvard Nordtveit from the Norwegian club FK Haugesund, also for £2m, would take Arsenal's spending to £32m this summer, which makes a mockery of Gallas's claim that they are failing to " recruit". However, Wenger may also face another battle to hold on to his biggest talent after Real Madrid's new coach, Bernd Schuster, yesterday chose his first press conference to reiterate the club's desire to acquire midfielder Cesc Fabregas. "I like Cesc Fabregas, he plays in the same position as I did in my playing days," the former German midfielder said. "He has improved a lot in England, and learnt a lot from Arsène Wenger, a coach who I admire and who has done over the years a very good job with young players. I believe he is one of the few players in his position that can carry a team on his back, and when I say teams, I mean quality teams." Although the 20-year-old Spaniard has committed himself to Arsenal ­ as long as Wenger stays ­ it appears that resolve will be tested by Real who also still want Chelsea's Arjen Robben and may strike a deal to keep Jose Antonio Reyes on loan from Arsenal. Of less importance, but greater irritation, to Wenger are the comments from Gallas, which appeared on the player's own website. The French defender ­ 30 next month ­ said: "Today I am at Arsenal but I do not know what can occur tomorrow. All happens so quickly in football. Around us, all the teams are recruiting but what is planned to compensate for the departure of Titi Henry?" Gallas has made no secret of his desire to play for one of the leading Spanish or Italian clubs and his comments, following his poor form last season, will not be well-received by Arsenal's fans. He is also close to Henry, who made clear that one of the reasons he left Arsenal was that he felt he had more chance of winning trophies at Barcelona. Effectively Gallas made the same claim when he said: "I am not at Arsenal to play for third place. It is necessary to recruit players of reputation because the young players have many qualities but the season is very long. If not, one will have to change and do the same as the other teams: recruit with more means. I will have a discussion with Arsène Wenger and board members to know the objectives of the club this season and what they wish to set up to build an even more competitive team." A complication has been the question marks over Wenger's own future. With one year left on his contract he has made clear that he is also wants certain assurances before signing another extension. However, the Arsenal board is increasingly confident it can give those assurances and negotiations are said to have gone well, although Wenger is unlikely to make a final decision until the autumn. story from The Independent

Chelsea Arjen Robben's lawyer is in Spain to hold talks with Real Madrid, who still want to sign the winger. (The Sun) Liverpool are set to sign Ajax winger Ryan Babel after returning with a £13.5m bid on Monday night on the back of having a £10m offer rejected. (The Sun) Fiorentina are ready to sign Freddie Ljungberg from Arsenal for £5.5m. (The Guardian) Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas will turn his back on a £27m move to Real Madrid, even though he is a top target for new Madrid boss Bernd Schuster. (Daily Star) Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to make an £8m bid for Spurs striker Jermain Defoe. (Daily Star) Arsenal are poised to launch a £13m bid for Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins this week. (The Independent) Newcastle have emerged as rivals to Liverpool in the race to sign Manchester United Gabriel Heinze. (Daily Star) Blackburn boss Mark Hughes wants Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz. (Daily Mirror) Portsmouth will complete the signing of Preston striker David Nugent on Tuesday. (Various) Chelsea misfit Khalid Boulahrouz is poised to join Seville in a half-price £3.5m deal. (Daily Mirror) New Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is make Swede Christian Wilhelmsson his first signing. (Various) Everton are mulling over the possibility of making a bid for £6m-rated Wigan defender Leighton Baines. (Daily Express) Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson is ready to offer Celtic £3m for midfielder Thomas Gravesen. (Daily Mirror) Leicester look set to land a £2m double swoop to sign Stephen Clemence and DJ Campbell from Birmingham. (Daily Star) Leeds striker Robbie Blake is in talks with Burnley about a £500,000 return to Turf Moor. (Various) Arsenal defender William Gallas has demanded crunch talks with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger over the failure to bring in a big name to replace striker Thierry Henry. (Various) New Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has pleaded with fans not to compare him to former Old Trafford captain Roy Keane. (Daily Mirror) Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is set for a row with new director of football Avram Grant - as the Portuguese manager does not want Grant sitting in the dug-out during matches. (Various) Meanwhile, Grant insists that his appointment has been done with Mourinho's blessing. (The Guardian) LA Galaxy boss Alexi Lalas has warned David Beckham to concentrate on football, not showbiz, when he begins playing for the club. (Various) Dundee have revealed that they turned down new Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster when he wanted to become boss at Dens Park in 2000. (Daily Record) AND FINALLY Sven-Goran Eriksson is to call on the advice of mystical gurus and introduce yoga to Manchester City's training regime. (The Sun) Manchester United players are making plans to keep Charley in the Big Brother house - so that they can keep ribbing her cousin, team-mate Kieran Richardson. (Daily Star) Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson says Jean Claude Darcheville impressed his new team-mates with some swanky sleight-of-hand magic tricks. (Daily Record)

what is the price tag for bastian schweinsteiger???

Hibs sign Newcastle United winger Alan O'Brien!!! Story by Steve Forbes 25 June 2007 Hibees land Republic of Ireland Internationalist Hibs today confirmed that they have landed Newcastle United and Republic of Ireland international winger Alan O'Brien, Revealed on www.Hibernian-mad.co.uk last week, see link below. http://www.hibernian-mad.co.uk/news/loadro...1&id=341611 O'Brien, 22, has signed a 3-year-contract at Easter Road and becomes Hibs boss John Collins' third signing of the summer, following Clayton Donaldson from York City and Brian Kerr from Motherwell. Hibs will have to pay compensation for the player as he is 22-years-old and it's expected the fee will be around the £200,000 mark. Hibs beat off FIVE Championship sides to land the speed merchant winger. He has been capped at U14, U15, U16 and U19 level as well as at full International level. The young Irishman has five international caps and is looking to progress his career at Easter Road. Speaking to the OFFICIAL club website - www.Hibernianfc.co.uk - He said: "Any player who has worked under Tommy will tell you that their football education has benefited greatly from his influence and guidance. He is an excellent coach and I'm certainly looking forward to working with him again, but there is also the opportunity to work with John Collins. As a player John has pretty much seen and done it all, and as a manager he has already made a great impact at Hibernian. "Everybody in the game is I think aware of what has been happening at Hibernian over the last few years, the quality of young player coming through the ranks into first-team football is exceptional. I have enjoyed my time at Newcastle United immensely but I believe that with Hibernian I can progress both at Club and International level." Hibs boss John Collins was obviously delighted to have captured O'Brien and said: "We are delighted to have signed Alan on a three-year contract at Hibernian. He is a young player who has had the best possible grounding at Newcastle United and while his first-team experience has so far been limited his quality is without question, and that I think is underlined by his appearances for the Republic of Ireland. A few other Clubs were naturally drawn to him as his current contract at Newcastle was coming to an end, but Alan has chosen Hibernian to progress his career knowing that this Club continues to provide the best possible platform for a young player to learn and enjoy the game. "Alan is a wide player and very, very quick. He knows already the way we like to play the game and we expect that he will see a great deal of the ball. He is an exciting young player and one that I am sure our supporters will appreciate."

24 June 2007 DARREN IS BENT ON SIGNING FOR JOL AT SPURS By Neil Silver DARREN BENT will have a medical at Tottenham tomorrow and sign a five-year deal after Spurs agreed to pay a club record £16million for the Charlton striker. The England forward has opted for White Hart Lane after rejecting a move to West Ham for the same fee, plus £1m-rated Hayden Mullins. It means Bent has accepted a £45,000 a week package rather than the £75,000 which was on offer at Upton Park, as he chose to play for Spurs boss Martin Jol rather than his former manager Alan Curbishley, now in charge of the Hammers. Spurs will make a down-payment of £13m with a possible further £3m in add-ons. It is a cash-only deal as Charlton boss Alan Pardew decided against taking any players as part of the package. Liverpool were also keen on Bent but he wanted to stay in London.

i guess the new keeper kit is not as bad as this: Lokomotiv Moscow home & away kit

Bollocks man. 3pm press conference tomorrow. hopefully with 1 other defender... right???

spot on to be honest...

TRANSFER RUMOURS Charlton striker Darren Bent will join West Ham for £18m in a deal that will net the 28-year-old £80,000 a week. (Daily Star) Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants to bring France striker David Trezeguet to the club in a move which he hopes will keep unsettled skipper Thierry Henry. (The Sun) Sunderland will sign striker David Nugent from Preston for a fee of £6m when he returns from the England Under-21 Championships. (Daily Star) Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce is the latest to be linked with a move for Reading defender Nicky Shorey. (The Sun) West Ham's Argentine forward Carlos Tevez will resolve his future in the next week, with Manchester United and Inter Milan both keen to sign him. (The Times) West Brom want a combined £10m for star duo Jason Koumas and Diomansy Kamara after both Birnmingham and Fulham were reported to have offered £5m for them. (Daily Star) Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is lining up a bid for Maccabi Haifa's Israeli striker Roberto Colautti. (Daily Star) Dennis Rommedahl is set to leave Charlton and sign for French club Rennes for £500,000. (The Sun) Former Chelsea and Birmingham defender Mario Melchiot has agreed to join Wigan after leaving French club Rennes. (Daily Mirror) Bolton and Newcastle are both hoping to sign Turkey winger Gokdeniz Karadeniz. (Daily Mirror) Blackburn defender Andy Todd is a £700,000 target for Coventry boss Iain Dowie. (Daily Mirror) OTHER GOSSIP An American consortium is set to make an approach to take over at Blackburn Rovers. (Daily Mirror) Sevilla boss Juande Ramos and former Fulham manager Chris Coleman are two possible candidates for the managerial vacancy at Manchester City. (Daily Mail) Kieran Richardson has denied that he has had a bust-up with England Under-21. (The Sun) AND FINALLY Prime Minister Tony Blair may be asked a question in Parliament next Wednesday over Sheffield United's controversial relegation from the Premier League. (Daily Star) Chelsea striker Didier Drogba wants the team to go a bit "crazy" next season and play more flamboyant football. (Daily Mirror)

Magpies close in on targets SAM ALLARDYCE took a break from managerial duties over the weekend but has been informed that Newcastle United are closing in on two of their top defensive targets. There are hopes on Tyneside that deals could be completed for centre-backs Tal Ben Haim and David Rozehnal by the end of the week. Ben Haim, the Israeli international who is out of contract at Bolton, is mulling over his options and Newcastle have been encouraged by the indications coming from him. After Chelsea pulled out of the race to sign him, the Magpies are confident of sealing the deal and it has emerged Paris St Germain are also expecting to see their man move to St James' Park. Rozehnal, the Czech Republic defender, has been courted by Allardyce for a number of months and sources in the French capital claim PSG have accepted he will be moving on in a deal worth between £2-3m. Borussia Dortmund had also been hoping to secure the services of a player named in the French League's team of the season, but Rozehnal is keen to test himself in the Premiership. "To target some defenders is obviously key," Allardyce said recently. "We need to strengthen the back four for the start of the new season." The Newcastle boss is also expected to cast an eye over the European Under 21 Championships in Holland, where he will monitor the performances of another target, Leighton Baines. Nolberto Solano, meanwhile, could be heading for another club-versus-country row after the midfielder took a step nearer to ending a two-year exile from international football. After making a plea to national team coach Julio Cesar Uribe last week, Solano looks destined to be handed the chance to return to the Peru squad after next month's Copa America. But Allardyce will be all too aware of the extensive travelling involved in commuting to South America. Uribe, though, is unconcerned. "I'm going to talk with him next week," he said. "It is the right moment to do it and give him some peace. "Solano's determination to be in the squad is remarkable. I'm going to call him for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, as I've already decided the 22-man list for the Copa America."

http://www.francefootball.fr/FF/mag/flip/index_flip.html they also say the henry deal to barca is done...

from Sky Sports: Mark Viduka has agreed in principle to join Newcastle United, according to Sky Sports News. The Australian forward's future has been a hot topic of debate for some time, as he has allowed his contract with Middlesbrough to wind down in order to consider all his options. Boro have strived to strike a new deal with their key forward, but he has rebuffed their attempts to persuade him to sign on the dotted line. Newcastle have long been thought to be favourites to secure the services of the former Celtic man, but reports at the start of the week claimed Birmingham had come in with a late gambit. "Until he has actually signed for anybody, there is always a possibility," Blues chairman David Gold told The Sun. If his comments ring true, then Gold will still hold some hope of landing the striker. However, Sky Sports News understands Viduka has opted to pledge his future to Newcastle. Viduka is currently on international duty with Australia so is unlikely to pen a deal in the coming days, but reports suggest he will be trotting out at St James' Park in the new season.

Wigan Athletic beat off Premiership rivals to land Antoine Sibierski Wigan Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of versatile French forward Antoine Sibierski on a free transfer from Newcastle United; the club's second signing of the day. Sibierski was in Wigan today (Monday) to put pen to paper on a two year deal at the JJB Stadium before jetting off on holiday. He will return with the rest of the squad to begin pre-season training later this month. Upon signing for the club, he immediately said: "I am delighted to have my future sorted. The manager impressed me hugely and this is clearly a very ambitious club. I can't wait to get started." Latics beat off stiff competition from other Barclays Premiership clubs to land the highly experienced 32 year-old, who has played 118 times in the Barclays Premiership for Newcastle United, where he was a big hit the Geordie fans. He previously spent three seasons at Manchester City, and has also played at Champions League and UEFA Cup level in France for Lens and Nantes. Sibierski spent the rest of his career in the French First Division for Auxerre, Nantes and his home town club of Lille, making almost 300 appearances. Chris Hutchings said: "Antoine is a player I have admired a lot ever since he came to England. He is strong and committed and will give everything to the cause. He is a player who can fill a number of different positions, in midfield or as a striker and I'm delighted to be able to add him to the squad." Sibierski scored at the JJB Stadium in 2005-2006 season for Manchester City and also appeared for Newcastle at the JJB Stadium in March.

New Wigan Athletic signing Titus Bramble has said that he is delighted to sign for the club: 'As soon as I spoke to the manager my mind was made up.' Titus Bramble has said that he is really looking forward to the challenge at Wigan Athletic, and that he can't wait to meet his new team mates. 'This is a really exciting move for me," he told Wigan Athletic.tv, "and I'm delighted my future is sorted and I can look forward to next season. "As soon as I met Chris Hutchings I knew I wanted to sign for Wigan Athletic. This is a really forward thinking club with big ambitions. He made it clear that he wanted me and that felt great. When I spoke to other players about Wigan and Chris Hutchings they only had good things to say. His reputation as a coach who improves and develops players is excellent. Other clubs did approach me but I know this is the right move at the right time of my career. "I'm still only 25 years old and have a lot to learn. I'm a big believer that you never stop learning in this game and I'm looking forward to improving as a player at Wigan. I have a lot of top flight and European experience already but I'm hungry for more, to do more and at Wigan I'm going to have that opportunity. "I have no regrets about my time at Newcastle! It is a tremendous club with brilliant fans and I thank everyone there for the help and support they gave me while I was there. This is a new challenge and I can't wait for pre season training to begin."

'LE SIB' IS A LATIC! Wigan Athletic manager Chris Hutchings has completed his second signing of the day. Following hot on the heels of the Titus Bramble signing, Wigan Athletic have confirmed that they have also signed Bramble's former Newcastle United team mate, Antoine Sibierski. Local rivals Bolton Wanderers were keen to add the vastly experienced Frenchman to their squad, but Sibierski was delighted to sign a two-year contract at Latics, rather than even enter into talks with Sammy Lee. Speaking of his arrival in Wigan 'Le Sib' said, "I am delighted to have my future sorted. The manager impressed me hugely and this is clearly a very ambitious club." Antoine has seen service with Lille, with whom he started his career, and then he progressed to Auxerre, Nantes and Lens before signing for Manchester City in 2003 in preference to Tottenham Hotspur. It was from the Eastlands outfit that he signed for the Magpies just a couple of hours prior to the August 2006 transfer window closing. He had made 14+12 Premiership appearances and scored three times whilst based at St James' Park. He also played against Latics last season when he was on the losing side following a 1-0 victory for the JJB Stadium's Premier sports team.

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/53264,break...-newcastle.aspx

7-0 in offsides...

i will say n'zogbia w/ the equalizer...

what did i miss???

rubbish... solano 's marking on that cross was absolute rubbish...

grabs + +