Scottish Mag

Newcastle's would-be new owner Mike Ashley has targeted his first big signing - former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein. Ashley, who is set to take full control of United, possibly this week, wants friend and neighbour Dein to run the club and deliver his dreams of glory. Publicity-shy Ashley is loath to involve himself in day to day matters at St James's Park. Instead, the billionaire wants to install a dynamic, experienced operator in the dual role of chairman/chief executive long performed by current Newcastle supremo Freddy Shepherd. And Dein - the man who took Arsene Wenger to Arsenal in 1996 - fits the bill perfectly. During 24 years with the Gunners, Dein forged a reputation as one of European football's key powerbrokers. As well as establishing Arsenal as a formidable force on the pitch, he became vice-chairman of the FA, before representing the Premier League on the FA board. Dein was pivotal in the FA's successful bid to land Sven-Goran Eriksson as England coach and was one of the panel who chose Steve McClaren as the Swede's successor. He was also chairman of the G14 group of European super clubs until leaving Arsenal last month amid a row over his support for a proposed takeover of the club by American tycoon Stan Kroenke. Dein and Ashley have homes literally yards apart in London's exclusive Totteridge Common, and know each other well. But it may need much persuasion for Dein to come on board at Newcastle, with the long-time Gunner harbouring long-term hopes of a return to Arsenal. It is understood that Kroenke would look to reinstate Dein in an executive position if he goes on to win control of the London giants. However, if Dein was to take charge of Newcastle, it would place a further question mark against the future of new United boss Sam Allardyce. During his days at Bolton, Allardyce was fiercely critical of Dein's influence within football. And that raises the distant but tantalising prospect of Arsene Wenger - who was dismayed by long-time ally Dein's exit from Arsenal - being targeted for the manager's job at St James's Park.

??? not even a highlights ??? Nope

Magma? don't get me started on the grooming scenario Thought he would have been ideal for you oooh...mark...over ....stepped....rearrange to suit Same age as Brock to be fair brocles is 18...Magma has just turned 17 by a fannys hair But he was 17...

There was no programme tonight

Magma? don't get me started on the grooming scenario Thought he would have been ideal for you oooh...mark...over ....stepped....rearrange to suit Same age as Brock to be fair

Magma? don't get me started on the grooming scenario Thought he would have been ideal for you

Magma?

You are now going to have to start thinking hard about your current facts...

The Toon's strong links with China are fuelling speculation of a rival takeover bid for Newcastle United. Rumours are rife on Tyneside today of rival bids for control at United coming from the Far East, despite billionaire Mike Ashley launching his £133.1m takeover bid last week. And it is the Magpies' partnership with China's most successful football club, Dalian Shide, that has got most people talking. Dalian and the Toon formed a marketing and sporting alliance in 2002 and have been close allies ever since. City analysts believe Dalian's owner, Xu Ming - one of the China's richest men - could be about to swoop for the St James' Park club. One City analyst said: "Newcastle United's links with China's most successful football club, Dalian Shide, are well documented. "Interest from their owner, one of China's richest men, was always going to be likely." Sports mogul Mr Ashley shocked the football world last week after he bought the Halls' 41.6% stake in Newcastle United for £55.3m and immediately launched a bid for the club. Mr Ashley visited St James' Park for the first time on Thursday and then paid a visit to Freddy Shepherd at the Freeman Hospital where the club's chairman is recovering from pneumonia. Mr Ashley has offered every Toon shareholder 100p for each share he or she owns, including Mr Shepherd who owns just over 37 million shares. But were someone to come in with a higher offer than Mike Ashley's 100p a share, that would automatically scupper his bid. Mr Ashley would have the option of coming back with an even higher offer, creating a bidding war for control of St James' Park. However, a source close to Mr Ashley said today: "I don't think he is worried about rumours of a rival bid. He is taking everything at face value. "But should they become more than rumours he will respond as he feels necessary. "He has not entered into his bid to buy Newcastle United lightly. "By the very fact that he is not a high-profile individual, he would not have put himself through the spotlight that has been cast upon him. "He would not be doing all of this if he wasn't completely serious about taking control of the club." Mr Ashley, 42, is the UK's 25th richest man with a personal fortune of £1.9bn. Xu Ming, 36, is a banking and insurance tycoon and is one of China's top 15 richest men. He also owns the most successful side in the history of Chinese football. Dalian Shide play at the 56,000-seater Dalian People's Stadium in Dalian.

Bullshit story IMO The contract surely wouldn't be more attractive than whats on the table. That one only works out at £32000 a week. He would be better signing a reported £40000 a week 2 year deal that has been reported from us and elsewhere and walk away at 33 with one last final pay day and signing on fee elsewhere.

F.Y.P.

I have seen it raised a couple of times as to how many players people think we are going to sign and I think even Sam himself he wanted 5 or 6 however whilst it doesn't sound realistic could we be looking for the best part of a full team to come in? Already we have seen leave... Bernard Gooch Bramble Srnicek Moore Sib Parker (Is as well as gone?) Uncertainty still remains over the future of... Owen Martins N'Zogbia Dyer And I would imagine that if we got half a chance to get rid of/or sign replacements we would happily see the back of... Babayaro Carr That leaves us with Given Harper Taylor Solano Butt Emre (who actually also has at times been linked with a move away) Milner Duff Ameobi (couldn't include the likes of Ramage as I pray to god he gets nowhere near next seasons team) We are either going to see a a fair few of those expected to leave back in black and white next season or I think Sam will need to be signing a fair few more than the 5 or 6 that has been discussed.

Yes they are. I am on an upto 8mb connection though I think our area can only get 5mb max however my connection has dropped to me getting speeds of 160kbs and I have had to put up with this for the last fortnight as BT India keep spouting all kinds of shite yet not dealing with the problem.

He starts the match today against Wales

They had said he had signed but now coming up as fee agreed.

Hes signed according to SSN

Tribal Football...

It doesn't surprise me. What with Dyer, Owen, Duff, Parker, Emre, Carr, Babayaro, Luque etc earning far more than they are worth its no wonder we are in the mess we are in.

Me too. They've looked rudderless under under the previous management regimes. I don't think they're bad players though, but they do need clearly defined roles. I agree with that. I think Parker suffered from a dodgy defence which he felt he had to cover which restricted his ventures forward, not to mention a shite midfield which often didn't making passing options easily available, resulting in the pirouette or the 10 yard sideways pass. The same thing Gary Speed also had to put up with and was targetted by the boo boys and a move away from the club done his game the world of good.

TRANSFER RUMOURS Striker Mark Viduka, who is out of contract at Middlesbrough, has agreed to join Newcastle. (The Sun) Newcastle midfielder Scott Parker is set to sign for West Ham. (Various) Arsenal are ready to let Thierry Henry leave the club, with Barcelona set to offer £17m, plus forward Samuel Eto'o, for the France striker. (Daily Star) Chelsea will sell Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz to Bayern Munich for £3.5m - half of what he cost a year ago. (Daily Mirror) Derby are targeting Aston Villa defender Lee Hendrie. (The Sun) Wigan are taking on Everton in the battle to land Sheffield United captain Phil Jagielka. (Daily Mirror) Ipswich have upped their bid for Blackburn striker Francis Jeffers to £500,000 from £350,000. (Various) Burnley want to beat Southampton to the signature of Polish striker Marek Saganowski, who has been on loan at the Saints from Troyes. (Daily Mirror) Nottingham Forest striker Grant Holt has put in a transfer request. (Various) New Leicester manager Martin Allen may move for striker Izale McLeod from old club MK Dons. (Various) Birmingham are considering a move for Middlesbrough utility player Stuart Parnaby. (The Sun) Lee Camp's move to QPR is in doubt because of Derby's promotion to the Premiership, with the keeper - who had been on loan at Loftus Road - entitled to a pay rise if he stays with the Rams and the Championship side unable to match such terms. (The Sun) Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson wants to sign midfielder Jason Koumas from his former club West Brom, plus Manchester United winger Kieran Richardson and Leeds striker David Healy. (The Sun) QPR chairman Gianni Paladini has told Fulham it will take a bid of about £5m to land winger Lee Cook. (Daily Star) Wolves are in pole position to sign Scunthorpe striker Billy Sharp, who is also wanted by Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich, after tabling a £2m bid. (Daily Star) Reading want Watford defender Danny Shittu. (Daily Star) Norwich, Nottingham Forest and Scunthorpe are battling to sign Rotherham midfielder Martin Woods. (Daily Star) Southampton are weighing up defender Radostin Kishishev, who has been released by Charlton. (Daily Star) OTHER GOSSIP Brazilian legend Jairzinho has labelled England boss Steve McClaren's decision to recall Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham for the games against Brazil and Estonia "a joke". (The Sun) Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho can't wait to wreck Beckham's return to the England side in Friday's friendly. (Daily Star) Former England striker Trevor Francis, who played for Detroit Express in the North American Soccer League in the 1970s, believes Beckham will regret moving to the United States to join LA Galaxy. (The Sun) The Football Association is ready to schedule England B games around the country instead of staging them at Wembley Stadium following the success of the recent game against Albania at Burnley. (Various) Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will stay at Anfield after clear-the-air talks with owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. (Daily Mirror) Parma boss Claudio Ranieri has agreed to become the new manager of Manchester City - if former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's takeover goes through. (Various) Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate insists he will be fit for next season after knee surgery. (Various)

Newcastle United officials are expected to meet with the billionaire Mike Ashley today or tomorrow, possibly at St James' Park, with Ashley's position believed to have been strengthened considerably by the guarantee of the sale of further shareholdings to the company formed specially to purchase the club. Ashley shocked Newcastle last week in buying Sir John Hall's 41.6% stake and it is understood that he now has up to 54% of shares, either bought or with the promise to. If so, he effectively runs the club. However, until the legal process of acquiring the extra stock is complete it is unlikely Ashley would appear at the meeting, requested by the club last Friday. Also, until the relevant documentation is signed, there remains an element of doubt about ownership and a rumour of Far Eastern interest resurfaced in the City of London yesterday. In the meantime Newcastle have begun preliminary moves in the transfer market, with their manager Sam Allardyce negotiating the incoming transfer of Joey Barton from Manchester City and the outgoing movement of captain Scott Parker to West Ham United, who yesterday offered £8.5m for the midfielder. Allardyce appears not to find Barton's notoriety off-putting - neither did the previous Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder, who also considered buying Barton this summer - and the 24-year-old Liverpudlian has a get-out clause in his contract believed to be £5.5m. Parker, who has had two difficult seasons on Tyneside despite succeeding Alan Shearer as captain, is expected to join the Hammers once he can prove his fitness after a hernia operation. The 26-year-old would rejoin Alan Curbishley, his manager at Charlton Athletic. Due to this being the early stages of a takeover, and to Ashley's previous business culture, there is a reluctance to divulge any information. Hall's revelation that he had never met the 42-year-old billionaire from Buckinghamshire face to face is instructive - and viewed with scorn inside St James' Park. Hall, who has stressed that a human touch is required at Newcastle, said that he had spoken to Ashley over the phone but that he hopes to meet him in the north-east soon. When Hall talked last week of his decision to sell he referred to "Ashley and his team" but there is as yet no name or face other than Ashley's associated with Newcastle. One spokesman for the company was unable to confirm yesterday whether he or one of his delegated representatives has yet talked with Allardyce while the chairman Freddy Shepherd remains in a Tyneside hospital with pleurisy.