Alan Shearer fears NUFC may miss tranfer targets

[Angelus71 4]

http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastl...634-23764913/2/

 

ALAN Shearer is worried the delay in finalising a deal to confirm his appointment as permanent manager will cost Newcastle United badly in the transfer market.

 

The Journal understands that Shearer – who released a statement last night confirming he attached certain conditions to his employment, while simultaneously denying he has made any demands – already has a clear idea of the players he wants to bring in over the summer and is keen to be able to launch the first bids to sign them this week.

 

Instead, United’s manager-in-waiting is stuck in limbo as he waits for confirmation from the banks that his personal terms and other conditions have been accepted as part of their package to restructure the financing of the club following relegation.

 

Although a broad agreement has been reached between Shearer and wantaway owner Mike Ashley regarding the amount of money he will have to spend on new players and other guarantees regarding which players will stay at St James’s Park, the banks will have the final say on whether his wages are acceptable within the tight perimeters set in place.

 

Shearer’s position is also understandable. He is trying to get the best possible deal for himself before committing to a four-year contract and relinquishing a lucrative deal with the BBC – while also ensuring the conditions of his employment give him the best possible chance of success.

 

There is no point, as far as he is concerned, becoming United manager if he is more concerned with firefighting financially rather than rebuilding the club into one which has a realistic chance of returning quickly to the top flight.

 

In a statement released last night, Shearer appeared to distance himself from claims he has demanded wages of £2.5m-a-year to sign a four-year contract, although he admitted conditions were attached if he was to accept the job.

 

He said: “I met Mike Ashley and Derek

 

Llambias last week and we discussed at length the future of Newcastle United and my desire to be the manager moving forward.

 

“I made no demands but there were obvious conditions.

 

“We simply proposed an honest evaluation of what was needed to get the club back into the Premiership whilst building solid foundations for the future.

 

“I fully understand Mike Ashley’s decision to sell the club as he feels it’s now in the best interest of the club and the fans. I hope to know more by the end of the week.” Any takeover process could be completed before the players return to pre-season training at the start of July.

 

But, while there is firm interest from at least two consortia – one of which is based in Oman – there have been no bids.

 

It is a frustrating time for Shearer who has, with the help of assistant Iain Dowie, identified a number of players in both the Premier League and Championship he wants to bring to Tyneside.

 

Indeed, United sources have told The Journal key targets have already been sounded out about their willingness to move to Newcastle and deals could be completed within days if Shearer’s appointment is ratified by the money men this week.

 

That would be a remarkable achievement for a rookie manager, but Shearer’s standing in the game means he has added pulling power, even though Newcastle are competing for players who have also been identified by top-flight clubs.

 

Nevertheless, there is nothing Shearer can do at this stage.

 

There was no movement in breaking the deadlock yesterday and the former United skipper is resigned to playing a waiting game having failed to meet either Ashley or managing director Llambias yesterday.

 

Meanwhile, one of the players being heavily linked with a move to Newcastle is former Magpie reserve team skipper – and team-mate of Shearer’s – Bradley Orr.

 

The fiery 26-year-old – he spent 14 days in prison following an assault outside a Bristol nightclub in 2006 – has been at Ashton Gate for five seasons following his release by Newcastle in 2004.

 

Originally a central midfielder, Orr has been successfully converted into a right-back in the south west with Bristol City.

 

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There's a surprise....not spending owt on any players again!

[Kitman 2188]

There's a sense of deja vu with all of this.....the same lack of urgency every transfer window.