The Newcastle United Blog

127 responses so far ↓

• 1 masee // Apr 25, 2008 at 11:45

  good to hear it is still on heard somewhere that we are not offering enough money and the deal was off

• 2 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 11:47

  i would love it, this would be the best statement oof intent ever

• 3 Spyro // Apr 25, 2008 at 11:51

  i cant believe this story has materialized. i guess you just never know who you can sign. Hopefully it goes through.

• 4 Spyro // Apr 25, 2008 at 11:52

  thanks a lot Ed for finding this

• 5 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 11:53

  edyou are doing a fantastic job.

• 6 Ausgeordie // Apr 25, 2008 at 11:58

  Fingers crossed we get him

• 7 tdt // Apr 25, 2008 at 11:58

  hope its 2day, get him signed up wisey lad!

• 8 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:02

  be nice if they did get the meeting tied up today, i think we will smash the billy mitchells on saturday 3-0 owen2 barton 1

• 9 valle // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:03

  Thx to the guys in Croatia who are pulling in allot of work to translate these stories to us

• 10 Marguerite // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:06

  Well done Ed for keeping us up to date. What would we do without your blog?

  Well done too for our translators and I trust the news continues to be positive.

  I am hooked on this and so hope we succeed in getting Luca.

• 11 Chris // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:09

  With this now being public knowledge the only chance we’ve got of landing Modric is acting quickly. Once we’ve agreed a price for him, any other club only needs to bid the same amount to have it accepted. Then it’s down to what the player wants.
  We can’t offer him European football, but I’m sure that Keegan can sell him the Dream! He’s a master of that, but it has to be done quickly before his head is turned by the top 4 or Barca and so on.
  It would be an amazing piece of business if they can pull this off and if he did join it would make other transfers on the same level a bit easier, as it shows where we want to be.
  Back in Europe, back in the top 4 and most of all, given our title of “The Entertainers” back!

• 12 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:13

  FOOTBALL TRANSFERSlaven Bilic Backs Modric’s Transfer to NewcastleCroatia’s coach Slaven Bilic thinks Newcastle is a great team with even greater ambitions and sincerely recommended it to Luka Modric.
  Lajla Mlinarić I.Č. Even if there had been doubts in the minds of Newcastle’s leaders regarding acquiring Croatia’s Luka Modric, the doubts were put to rest after a talk with Croatia’s coach Slaven Bilic.

  According to some estimates and demands of Dinamo’s head Zdravko Mamic, the Dinamo captain has a market value of 20 million pounds, which should not pose a problem for a team like Newcastle. But they still wanted to be sure that the money would not be given away in vain, although Luka’s qualities are well known. In order to get reassurance regarding what they would be getting by acquiring Modric, they contacted Croatia’s coach Slaven Bilic who had only good things to say about Modric and so additionally motivated the St. James Park leaders.

  - Newcastle is a great team and as such is an excellent choice for Luka. They are the first next team under the great four, on the level of Tottenham, but are also financially better standing. They are capable of much greater things – Bilic said, putting Newcastle ahead of all other teams interested in Modric.

  The Mamic brothers are ready for the second round of negotiations with the English team and they will soon travel to Newcastle where a final agreement could be reached.

  Some media have reported that Luka Modric’s transfer could cost much more than the 12 million pounds as reported by English media.

  What is certain is that Modric will be playing in England next season. Where exactly is not yet known, but Newcastle is close to signing the contract.

  Published: April 25, 2008 10:44h

  i can see that we contacted slaven to know what exactly we wher getting for our money.

• 13 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:16

  Haven’t been this excited since we signed Owen…we’re on the march again!

• 14 ToonKing // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:16

  oh god….pls make this happen, i ‘ll give you my dogs left nut for it………..and i love my dog

• 15 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:21

  i will go and stroke roy keanes sexually abused dog if we sign him.

• 16 JP from The Rock of Gibraltar // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:26

  Toonking- Hahaha funny man lolol

• 17 Spyro // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:27

  wow, it is clear to see this signing will please all fans if it goes through. However, i just want to say that Modric is class, but he is not one of a kind and if we unfortunately fail in our attempt to recruit him then its not the end of the world. It will no doubt be cruel on us though.

• 18 drh // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:29

  great to see newcastle planning effectively, dealing quietly (until others blab about discussions) and targeting players early. I really do think the new structure led by Chris Mort is working effectively, and making the old regime look like what they were, some half arsed blaggers who thought they had the brains and tact to run a football club. Roll on 08/09 season.

• 19 Bobby Ollox // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:35

  I think someone said yesterday that he was the new Peter Beardsley
  If that really is the case we should pull out all the stops - that is the sort of player who will make the difference.

  Excited.

• 20 howway geordies // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:41

  If I had the talent of Luka Modric, I don’t think I would be in a hurry to sign for a club that couldn’t offer me the chance to play at the highest possible level.

• 21 faustino // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:51

  Fact is though some players actually prefer playing football than being on the bench; cos that’s where he’d be spending most of his time at any of the Prem clubs in the Champions league.

  He’d get big money with us and prime place in the starting line up in a exciting team in the Premier league. TBH any young midfielder with a brain would salivate at the chance of feeding Owen and Martins.

• 22 Matthew Tom // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:52

  I am refusing to get excited. I still reckon that Barca or Chelsea will eventually tempt him.

  I would love it, LOVE it, if I am wrong.

• 23 aaron d // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:54

  yeah but can offer him a large amount of money and the prospect of playing at the highest level. He could go to Man utd, chelsea etc and play champions league but be a rotated player, or come to Newcastle play in the greatest league in the world and in a great stadium with 52000 fan every other week, and if it doesnt work out he could always requested a transfer in a couple of seasons.

• 24 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:55

  He plays a bit deeper than Pedro but he has the skill imo.

• 25 iain // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:57

  i would say if bilic is advsing modric to come to us then the only thing that will scupper the move know is our reluctance to pay the asking price or a compromised amount close to dinamos asking price.

• 26 tdt // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:59

  i think u may be right iain

• 27 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:04

  iain as i previously stated that would be the case, modric and eduardo look up to billic alot for what he has done for them.

• 28 Tom_Toon // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:07

  HE WILL NOT GO TO CHELSEA BECAUSE THEY WILL SEND HIM ON LOAN TO PSV, AND HE DOESNT NOT WANT TO DO THAT!

• 29 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:09

  I was wondering when you’d get here Tom_Toon.

• 30 craig chisholm // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:17

  i still dont think it will happen as every champ league team in europe will now be alerted to his availability. this will be a harder deal than owens was to tie down. i hope i am wrong though.

• 31 ToonKing // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:31

  we must also remember that there are some advantages we have over the other teams, like his relation to Viduka, our good relations with Dinamo and his mentor Bilic advising him to come to us.

  Also if he goes to the big teams he will be just another good player but if he comes to us he’ll have the opportunity to become a hero and a legend.
  tbh i don’t know which option i would choose…………..probably Newcastle

• 32 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:31

  he will come from the approval of billic, i wish people would stop all this negativity, we are in pole position to sign him, he has celebrated his move to newcastle, WHATS THE FECKING PROBLEM?

• 33 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:36

  abit off subject but does anyone know if we are getting a new kit this season?

• 34 Eric // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:42

  Hope the publicity was not just a ruse to alert other clubs to his availability and a scam to raise his price. Pay them the money because he is worth it and NUFC is worth it. I would be “Mortified” if we do not get him. He would be a gem for us. Go on and sign him - these so-called big teams need to change their greedy ways.

• 35 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:44

  king kevs admitted his intrest, thank god, this is wierd as i was playing football manager and i thought to myself ‘HEY, KING KEV IS ON TV DOING HIS PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW’ in a telepathic kind of way. LOW AND BLOODY BEHOLD KING KEV WAS TALKING ABOUT LUKA.

• 36 ToonKing // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:44

  GerodieGerrard7 , as far as i know the current kit is for the 2007-2009 seasons so i guess the answer is no.

• 37 ToonKing // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:45

  what did he say GG7??

• 38 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:48

  about how when he had although been out of the game for 3 years he came in with a list of who he wanted and luka was basically on it, but man u and arseanl and every other team are intrested of bringing in a player of his calibre. i only caught the end minute or so, should be on ssn website soonish. but just as normal, king kev played his cards close to his chest

• 39 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:51

  it must be an oman!

• 40 aaron d // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:51

  well be getting a new away kit like we do every year, and probably a third kit so we can wear it once, but i think we have one more season with our current home shirt

• 41 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:51

  look at nufc.com

• 42 spyro // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:52

  Keegan has laughed off meeting with modric, but i think it is just a way of minimising the amount of press coverage until they attempt to finalise the deal.

• 43 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:56

  he didnt exactly laugh it off he just tried to brush it aside, i think it will happen.

• 44 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 13:58

  He laughed off meeting with Henry and Deco.

• 45 Piers // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:03

  Hopefully this deal goes through, so excited…….toon, toon!!!!

• 46 craig chisholm // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:18

  keegan has just said that talk of modric or henry is pure fantasy. they are his own words. so there you go lads…………forget modric talk. it aint gonna happen.

• 47 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:22

  he didnt say its pure fantasy

• 48 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:24

  Hm nufc.com didn’t really show the quotes properly, on the official he talked like the Modric link was bollocks. Hope he’s just trying to keep it under wraps until we can get through the next round of talks. If we’re really not going for him and are instead going after the sh*te we’ve been linked with like Gardner, Riise and Emana then how can we seriously talk about being a big club?

• 49 craig chisholm // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:25

  oh ok, iwill be more precise for you then, his actual words were ‘ thats pure fantasy football’. it amounts to the same thing though lads. dont get all hyped up on modric, he aint gonna come and looks like he never was.

• 50 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:25

  craig chisholm - Are you a cockney in disguise?

• 51 Newcastle United. // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:27

  Ed. you truley have made this website the best on the net. Always up to date about everything and you give hope to all Newcastle fans, Even when we’re playing sh*te, You were always like, we’ve playing well just short of confidence, Good on you mate.

  I personally think this is going to happen. Henry thing? I think that could also happen too.

• 52 craig chisholm // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:29

  51times,

  i am more black and white than you will ever be. the facts are though that kk is distancing himself from modric, henry etc. we have been down this road too many times. kk’s comments def lean on the side of him not coming. plus it was only a week ago that the chairman said there would be no massive statementy buys from us.

• 53 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:30

  he will be at our club, or the representatives will be at the game tommorow

• 54 Newcastle United. // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:31

  Keegan on Modric:
  “If you had a list of the midfield players around Europe who Newcastle could possibly attract, Luka Modric would be one of them.

  “I think he would be pretty much on any list. If you look at the midfield players who have a fantastic future, he would be one of them.

  “But every other club in the league would also be looking at him.

  He doesn’t say no does he? Not even close, He’s just saying alot of clubs will want him but he believes Newcastle could attract him, Obvious something has happened isn’t it?

• 55 gordon // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:33

  www.javno.com its not that difficult.

• 56 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:40

  I will continue to be optimistic because I have to. Truthfully I’ve hyped myself up a bit, the season is as good as over for me…don’t care what happens in the three games now, just want to get into the transfer window.

• 57 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:41

  cant believe all the negativity, the henry thing is nothing but the modric thing is

• 58 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:43

  was it just me being a twat or did anyone else turn to thier spud supporting friends and say, woodgate has rejected you and wants to come to us haha ur clubs shit and all that?

• 59 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:45

  No because it was obvious Woodgate was never coming here.

  Plus I have no Spurs supporting friends, I generally think other clubs supporters are bigotted twats, although I do have a mate who supports West Ham and quite a few who support Rangers.

• 60 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:46

  well every paper saidd he was coming here

• 61 Obafan // Apr 25, 2008 at 14:52

  It is going to start again. The YES or NO in any rumour is always a mistery. At the end of the day every player and club finds what they need. From all the rumours nobody knows which are true and which are completely rubbish. That makes it so excited to follow this.

  I hope this rumour is true, cause he would be a fantastic addition to our current squad.

  Nice to hear the way KK is talking; he is playing the game very good. He talks in a mistrious way and he let the fans think YES or NO .

• 62 Marguerite // Apr 25, 2008 at 15:00

  I am not put off by what KK has said. I interpret it that it is a NO for Henry which does not unduly concern me but he was much more cagey about Modric and at no time did he deny the interest in him.

  I am still believing we are in with a great shout at getting him. If so, well done to Wisey and Co.

• 63 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 15:01

  Personally I don’t care about the mystery of transfer rumours…the only valid reason keegan has for saying what he has said is so we can gain an advantage in signing the player by having other clubs think we’re not trying to. Honestly if Wise and co. are the ones who want to bring Modric in but Keegan isn’t sure of it then I fully support letting Wise decide our transfers, he obviously knows better than Keegan.

• 64 Tom_Toon // Apr 25, 2008 at 15:14

  Hes basically giving nothing away. But the key thing i interpeetted from it is that he only goes on to talk about Modric, not the other two. And he talks about Modric is a possibility light.

• 65 Leo // Apr 25, 2008 at 15:24

  modric would like like the return of beardsley, the way he runs with the ball is soo alike

  he will be coming

• 66 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 15:24

  a blind man could see he was giving nothing away, but i hate people jumping to negative conclusions

• 67 Jack // Apr 25, 2008 at 15:35

  i agree with geordiegerrard7, i hate people being negative, it’s bad enough with the southern press, nevermind our own “supporters”.

• 68 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 15:40

  but mark my words, we will sign him, he has thrown his farewell bash

• 69 chuck // Apr 25, 2008 at 15:53

  It would be a coup if Newcastle land Modric, the first step in the rebuilding process and a testament to the new management and scouting system recently put in place.
  One thing however, on listening to KK it appears he could be out of the loop, in both the selection and transfer proceedings.
  I hope this is not the case, so how does it work?
  is he given a list of available players, with the right to veto those he does`nt see fitting into his ideal team plan or what?
  Just curious

• 70 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 15:58

  chuck- just like he said he put all thier lists together then they sorted from there. keegan has last say. off topic, me and my missus have decided on calling our lad keegan. lol

• 71 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 15:59

  ohhhhh 69!no-one goes hungry

• 72 Toon1978 // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:10

  IF Mike Ashley is true to his word about wanting European football and challenging the top 4 then he will give KK the money for players like Moderic without a problem. IMO the bloke is full of hot air there seems to be a problem with fees and wages, which there shouldnt be if he wants success at NUFC. If you want to play with the big boys you have to keep up with the big boys. MODERIC should be dealt with now,not tommorrow or next week NOW but what is happenning NOTHING at all giving all these other clubs in Europe time to snatch these players. This is moving to slow so i am afraid my opinion is a negative one because nothing is happennig. Give Zagreb the money they want for him NOW and give MODERIC the wages he wants,because if MA is not prepared to do this then we will get no where which is happenning now. All mouth no action please prove me wrong Mr Ashley get ya hand out of your pocket and tie this deal up.

• 73 chuck // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:14

  Looks like there`s a decent chance of signing Modric, but dont think there`s much interest in Henry.
  What about making a bid for Senderos, seems Arsenal are willing to let him go, still young, Could partner up with Taylor and perhaps form a solid young defensive pairing.

• 74 Frankieboy // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:17

  Just have faith lads. Two months ago we could not of been able to attract Titus “schoolboy bollock dropper” Bramble back to this club but we are in with a shout for literally anybody now with KK. Remember wot Rob Lee said when KK stole him from under the noses of other interested parties at the time and how KK sold his vision of where this club was heading and its all happening again but this time on a bigger scale with bigger chairman(and i aint talking about waistlines here lads)

  Have faith in the KK bandwagon, climb aboard and hang on.

• 75 adam // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:18

  nextgiven
  beye taylor king riise
  milner deco modric
  henry owen martins
  subs
  harper
  faye
  viduka
  barton
  s w philliphs

• 76 Frankieboy // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:21

  Chuck, would that be “Titus” Senderos. Arsenal prepared to let him go cos he is shite. Did you not see him v Liverpool in CL Quarter Final a few weeks ago. He really is as bad as all make out.
  Would rather bring back Boumsong!!

• 77 Villaince // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:21

  Just reading Croatian news portal net.hr. . . Dinamo’s boss Mamić confirmed to a radio show that NU made a bid for Modrić and that the deal is near to finish. . . As always, the problem is money! He said that Dinamo wants a little bit more money from NU and that the Spurs have also called him and said that they will match the offer if he gives them a clue to what amount NU is bidding (Mamić is a tricky slime ball)!

  Speculation about the amount of money is useless but if you ask me I believe Modrić will go for around 20 million euros considering that Dudu went for less then that to Arsenal!

• 78 Toon1978 // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:27

  bloody Spurs they want every bugger i just hope we can sign this kid Moderic but i dont hold much faith in getting him i am afraid can anyone convince me that this kid will sign.

• 79 chuck // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:28

  Geordie Gerrard7 I must have missed that one, where KK mentions he is given the various names from which he selects or rejects, sounds plausible, sure you are not making it up guy!

• 80 Tom_Toon // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:31

  Senderos, ahahah. Worse than Bramble.

• 81 Joe Aussie // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:34

  Ed ,as one who does not contribute to your forum on a regular basis I would just like to thank you for keeping us far flung fans as well informed as you do.You are doing a great job mate. Can I just say that everyone is getting ‘hyper’ about Modric,I will be as wrapped as anyone if we land him but Dynamo Zagreb have let the cat out the bag so don”t hold your breath, the big clubs will be hovering.If we miss out on him there is always Diego,a very intelligent player.Always look for an intelligent player!
  PS: Spyro,I like your comments mate,keep on keeping on!

• 82 Villaince // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:34

  If Barcelona smashes a bid you can forget it. . . He’s dream is to play for that team and he would accept a minimal wage for that contract! As far as other English teams you have an equal shot except maybe Arsenal ’cause of Dudu but I don’t believe that Wenger will spend that money. . . Chelsea and Spurs - I don’t think so!

• 83 CroToon // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:39

  aaaa

• 84 Toon1978 // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:39

  exactly Villaince that is why KK and crew should be pushing this through now. We seem to be to patient letting the world go by. Same happenned in January same happenning now.

• 85 cb27 // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:45

  I think the best word to describe us signing Modric would be coup, especially considering we don;t have the lure of European football next year as Spurs do. (Though we all know Newcastle is a miles better place to play your football, it’s unlikely that Modric will be as genned up) As for the other rumours of the day, does anyone else agree with me that I wouldn’t want Henry or Deco?? Henry is getting on and slightly injury prone now, and I’ve got a mate in Barca who says that Deco is a bit of a ‘bad-egg’ and fond of many a night out down la ramblas. I do reckon we could do with a ‘big-man’ striker to rest viduka. Crouch would be my choice. Also, reckon a left-back and a centre back is a must - Wayne Bridge would be who I would try and get for lb, as for centre back, I think we may need to gamble on someone from abroad…

• 86 Jamie G // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:47

  ADAM needs to stop cheating on champ man.

  as for modric, i just think 15-20 million is just far too much for a relatively unproven player and the money could be better spent elsewhere. i.e a world class centre back.

• 87 CRAIGG // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:48

  Spurs f**k off you 2nd rate cockney tit w***ing, S**t Stabbing, Jellied Eel eating, Pearly Queen dancing, Chimney Sweeping, C**t hating, pathetic Rhyming Slang spouting pieces of Excrement

  We saw him first go and get some of your usual crap from Leeds or West ham and leave the big business to the real football clubs, Not pretend little mid-table cup sides like yourselves who class the UEFA Cup as major European competition.

• 88 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 16:53

  The Jews of Tottenham will not spend £20m on one player, it’d kill them.

• 89 Anon // Apr 25, 2008 at 17:24

  Maric is the new Peter Beardsley eh?
  I dont think so……….

  Whoops did I say Maric, I mean modric…….
  Is that right? Or are they the same person?

  There are alot of similarities here…….
  I am having Deja Vous

  A friend of mine working in Croatia believes Maric was a better player!!!!!! His words not mine…………….

• 90 CroToon // Apr 25, 2008 at 17:25

  Here are the lastest text about modric! Mamic is saying that Newcastel is send a good offer but they reply to them that they want a littel bit more!!! He think that modric will compleate move to Toon. He also said that Spurs want to view the Toon offer and that they will match the offer! Sorry for bad English!!! http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/mamic-porucili-smo-newcastleu-da-se-malo-popravi/384335.aspx

• 91 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 17:34

  villaince- could u tell us what some of the things on this website say please?http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/legendarni-shearer-podrzava-keegenovo-dovodjenje-luke-modrica/384288.aspx

• 92 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 17:36

  ZDRAVKO MAMIĆ progovorio je u emisiji Radio Cibone o aktualnim zbivanjima u Maksimirskoj, s posebnim akcentom na pregovore s engleskim klubovima koji ovih dana licitiraju cijenom usluga Dinamovog dragulja Luke Modrića.

  Mamić se osvrnuo na izlet u Newcastle, grad koji ga je oduševio, i otkrio da je u prostorije kluba danas stigla i papirnata ponuda Svraka, najveća koju je neki klub ikada poslao za nekog igrača iz HNL-a.

  “U Newcastleu smo bili ja i Zoki, bez Luke. Razgovarali smo sa čelnicima koji jako žele Luku. Nakon usmenih razgovora, danas je došla i pismena ponuda s kojom mi, na zaprepaštenje Newcastlea, nismo bili zadovoljni. Odgovorili smo im neka se malo poprave! Sasvim je normalno da Newcastle sumnja da ćemo s njihovom ponudom licitirati. Kako i ne bi kada nas jedan Tottenham moli da im pokažemo ponudu te da će oni ponuditi više”, kazao je između ostalog Dinamov dopredsjednik.

  “No, jedno je sigurno; Luka sam odlučuje gdje će otići. Novac nije presudan. Da su moje namjere iskrene sugerira činjenica da bih ga pustio za manju odštetu, ali ne možemo ići ispod nekih vrijednosti. Luka će sam odabrati, a njegova odluka ovisi o mnogočemu. Pa nećemo kao jeleni ići na prvu loptu. Treba vidjeti hoće li nakon Eura za njega bolji biti Arsenal ili Liverpool koji odmah kreću s ludim euro ritmom, ili pak Tottenham ili Newcastle koji ne igraju toliko utakmica u sezoni.”

  Mamić tvrdi kako se oduševio tijekom razgovara s Keeganom, iako je prvotno odbijao bilo kakav kontakt s Newcastleom.

  “Čovjek mi je objasnio da u svojoj momčadi na centru vidi Modrića, a sve ostale oko njega. U Liverpoolu, koji je jedan od najvećih klubova Luka bi bio samo broj, to nisu familijarni klubovi. Newcastle je najuporniji. Kada sam doživio grad, za koji Slaven Bilić kaže da je hladan, iznenadio sam se. To je toliko topao grad, s najboljim navijačima na svijetu. Luki bi tamo bilo fantastično.”

  “Kada smo ove zime odlučili stopirati Modrićev transfer, mislili smo da ćemo naići na pozitivne reakcije javnosti. No, u trenutku kada je Luka ultimativno kazao da se ne vidi u Dinamu, tu više ništa ne možemo napraviti. Nema smisla da idemo u rat s našim draguljem. Želio sam da ostane, i to nije nikakvo opravdanje. Dao bih mu veću plaću od one koju bi zaradio u Liverpoolu.” - dodaje Mamić, uz napomenu da od Lukinog ostanka u Maksimiru vjerojatno ipak neće biti ništa.

  Potom se Mamić vratio na razgovor o engleskim proscima. Priznao je da osim Newcastlea Modrića vabe Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham i Liverpool, s kojim je također ostvaren usmeni kontakt.

  “Što se mene tiče, još uvijek nisam za realizaciju posla, barem ne pod uvjetima koji su nam ponuđeni. Najbitnije je da ne prenesemo nervozu na Luku i da on zadrži povjerenje u mene i Zokija. Malo koji igrač na svijetu bi ovoliko dugo odolijevao ponudama kakve Luka ima, što govori o tome kakav je on čovjek. Morate znati da su te ponude znanstvena fantastika za običnog čovjeka.”

  anyone translate that

• 93 Knightbobmoncur // Apr 25, 2008 at 17:38

  Would rather have Diego!!!
  Much better player………….

• 94 Nobby's dad // Apr 25, 2008 at 17:41

  Toon1978……How are we letting players go like we did in Jan?? Keegan had just arrived then and had no intention of just buying any old rubbish. We are at last doing it the right way.

  You can’t just sign players up by paying the money and wages demanded (unless you want to ‘do a Leeds’). You’re being naive if you think this is how football works.

  His agent coming to speak to Mort etc.will get the ball rolling but Modric will without doubt have a preference as to which club he wants to join and it’s likely to be one of the big boys who can offer European football etc. Chelsea for one can match any fee or wage we agree - Ashley may have money but he’s small fry compared to Abrahomvich.However we’ve made an approach and I for one am happy we have shown some intent. If we don’t get him it’s no big deal, there are lots of great players out there and I trust KK, Wise and the others in the scouting team to identify them and bring a few in. Toon on the move!!!

• 95 CRAIGG // Apr 25, 2008 at 17:51

  Golden Graeme didnt have much hesitation in chucking money at Crap in January Boumsong, Babayaro and Faye if i remember rightly.

• 96 DC Magpie // Apr 25, 2008 at 18:21

  Hey Ed,

  Any chance you can optimize this site for handhelds or more specifically iphones?

  I love keeping up with banter on this site but reading it on my iphone takes ages as all the pics need to load.

  Should be a pretty simple fix.

  Thanks

• 97 Villaince // Apr 25, 2008 at 18:35

  index.hr
  Basically Shearer stated his believe that any player that KK brings to the club will be a great player! Also he backs KK in his wish to bring Luka to the club but also says that the first priority is to sign a new deal with Owen! He also stated his believe that KK will bring NU to the top of Premiership. . .

  As far as the other text it is a long version of my previous post! NU made a bid but Mamić wasn’t pleased with it and told them to ‘polish’ the bid a little bit more! Also he said that if Modrić would sign for Liverpool he would be just a number ’cause it’s not a ‘warm’ club and that KK sees him in the central position with everybody else around him! NU is the most persistent one and he was thrilled to feel the warm kind of the city with the best fans on the world! Than he admitted that other English clubs were also interested and that he had verbal contact with them. . . Oh and yes, Mamić said that Lukas word will be the last one!

  Cheers, gotta to go

• 98 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 18:51

  thanks villaince- but this last one please?
  http://www.net.hr/sport/page/2008/04/25/0604006.html

• 99 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 19:01

  I think he’s off mate.

  Ed you need to hire someone so we have a person to translate at all times, haha.

• 100 Villaince // Apr 25, 2008 at 19:07

  That’s the shorter version of the article you posted above! I could translate the whole thing if I had the time but I haven’t and all that is important and interesting I did translate and post here. . .

• 101 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 19:21

  Hm…I think that’s all we’ll get tonight. I’m sure sometime next week we’ll have got him.

• 102 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 25, 2008 at 19:24

  ok villaince, cheers lad.

• 103 Toon1978 // Apr 25, 2008 at 19:33

  Nobbys dad all i am saying basically is that we have to try and catch up with the big four and buying players like Moderic would be a step in the right direction because believe me buying players like SIDWELL and players to that stature will get us no where what so ever. Newcastle seem to be dragging their heels over this Moderic situation and IMO the sooner we know what is happenning the better is he coming or is he not simple as that IF we want him we have to pay the price Chelsea do it, Manure, Liverpool these teams buy the big boys hence the reason they win Premier league titles and win Champions leagues, what have we won NOWT WHY..? because we always go for second best and second best is not good enough for the best fans in the world.

• 104 chuck // Apr 25, 2008 at 20:31

  The longer this goes on, the less convinced I become that the Toon will sign Modric.
  Think it`s just bait thrown out there to start a bidding war, remember when Fat Freddy offered 20m for Rooney. Plus the fact that KK seemed embarrassed by the whole thing.
  Hey I would love to be wrong, but seriously folks think about it!
  Bye the way how are teams able to do deals outside the designated transfer window, am I missing something here?

• 105 Chris // Apr 25, 2008 at 20:31

  Toon1978, it’s Modric mate not Moderic!

• 106 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 20:46

  chuck - you can sign a player any time, he just can’t join you until the transfer window opens.

• 107 Toon1978 // Apr 25, 2008 at 20:47

  Ok Chris i apologise MODRIC lol thanks for keeping me right.

• 108 robertsa // Apr 25, 2008 at 20:59

  the toon will sign is Modric or Nolan or Bullard , or Penant , or Edmilson , or Lennon ,or Sidwell to add to the centre midfield position alongside Barton. these are the odds. I’d be happy with all of them.

  Modric-1-2
  Sidwell-1-2
  Bullard-2-5
  Edmilson-1-5
  Nolan-1-6
  Penant-1-38
  Lennon-1-38

• 109 faustino // Apr 25, 2008 at 21:08

  The major issue here, that everyone is missing, is that if we get him we have something to support in the European cup!!!

• 110 Toon1978 // Apr 25, 2008 at 21:19

  Dont want SIDWELL wouldnt mind Bullard, Edmilson no way to old, Nolan not consistant no better then what we already have, Pennant i wouldnt mind at the toon rather have Bentley though.

• 111 Tom_Toon // Apr 25, 2008 at 21:37

  Pennant?!?!? Rather put a plastic bag over me head.

• 112 CRAIGG // Apr 25, 2008 at 21:42

  No i dont think Pennant is an improvement SWP reunited with Keegan just like Barton would find his best form again as would Dunne and get Stuart Pearce back as one of KKs Coaches like at Man City part time so he can do the U21s still when Steve Round goes to Everton in the Summer.

• 113 Jack // Apr 25, 2008 at 21:50

  Out of that list, only Modric and possibly Bullard and Lennon are good enough. The rest sound like Sunderland signings.

• 114 Gavin // Apr 26, 2008 at 3:34

  From the Tottenham official website:

  The Club is delighted to announce that it has reached agreement with Dinamo Zagreb for the transfer of Croatian midfielder, Luka Modric.

  Personal terms have been agreed with the player and he will now undertake a medical and apply for a work permit.

  Awful news….

• 115 ScottyT // Apr 26, 2008 at 3:55

  yet again spurs steal a player we looked like we were signing. gutted.

• 116 Marguerite // Apr 26, 2008 at 7:05

  Devastated and so disappointed. I really hoped we would get him.

• 117 mitch // Apr 26, 2008 at 8:13

  Wait till next season he will see where he should of went will cause some unrest at spurs as I can@ see him being inside there wage structure he will be fighting relegation next season They only got in europe through a cup there league position is terrible we have had a bad season and look at us we are level with them

• 118 Carol Malia // Apr 26, 2008 at 8:28

  I hope the idiot Toonking (or whatever he calls himself) who was bragging on Youtube that Modric is ours is happy now.

  Fool!

• 119 robertsa // Apr 26, 2008 at 9:07

  never mind guys keegan and wise have came out today promising 4 top signings.

• 120 robertsa // Apr 26, 2008 at 9:22

  following this dissapointment im turning my attention to the defense. these are the odds.

  Cuellar-1-3
  Davenport-1-4
  Ben haim-1-6
  Arne Rise-1-6
  Amdy Faye-1-7
  Upson-1-38
  Agger-1-38

• 121 toonrmint // Apr 26, 2008 at 9:26

  cuellar-mint
  davenport-shit
  ben haim-ok
  rise-scores too many own goals
  faye-weve had him before
  upson-he’l never come
  agger-shit

  but mind you kniowing newcastle we will probably get the shit defenders.

• 122 Knightbobmoncur // Apr 26, 2008 at 9:53

  No great miss for me!! Have to agree with anon. Smacks of Silvio Maric mallarky!!

  Diego is a much better bet.

  There are plenty of better players out there for us to look at.

  Diego
  Bentley
  Moutinho
  Van de Vaart
  Ben arfur
  Messi (one of the lowest paid players at Barca)

  Okay Some of them might be pie in the sky but ALL are better than Modric IMO.

  Lets have a go at one or 2 of these

• 123 Carol Malia // Apr 26, 2008 at 10:26

  Nice to see the dreamers on here still at it.
  Diego.. he’s signing for Madrid,
  Messi, sheeesh,
  Moutinho - will sign for a Champions League team
  Ben Arfur - see Moutinho

  When will the modern day Newcastle fans get real about the clubs status in world football and wake up to the fact that Newcastle are only an average club in world standings.
  No wonder fans from other clubs piss themselves laughing and call us deluded when you see the egotistical rubbish written on the internet by some Newcastle fans.

• 124 grizzly // Apr 26, 2008 at 11:54

  sky sports news reckon that Spurs have agreed a £15.8 million fee for Modric. But then again we all know how much pap ss news usually comes up with…

• 125 MARK // Apr 26, 2008 at 12:24

  Modric is a yido la la la la. Did you honestly think that a player of his quality would join the barcodes. From reading the comments on here newcastle fans have a seriously deluded opinion of there standing in world football. You are a nothing team in a cold, shit part of the country. You have to pay over the top wages to players who dont really want to be at your club(owen) but the huge wages soften the blow. You have had your 2or 3 seasons in the limelight(seems so long ago) and now you will stay mid table with the odd relegation battle throw in.
  To see supporters linking yourselves with henry and deco is foolish in the extreme. Do you honestly think they will give up there lifestyles and great clubs to surround themselves with players of the calibre of taylor, carr, owen, martins, butt, smith, beye, and emre. Christ, its a who’s who of shit players!!!

• 126 robertsa // Apr 26, 2008 at 12:40

  carol malia you no ya stuff who would you sign in the defense?
  Cuellar
  Davenport
  Ben haim
  Arne Rise
  Amdy Faye
  Upson
  Agger or a choice of your own

• 127 howway geordies // Apr 26, 2008 at 16:44

  Geordie Gerrard, what you call “negativity” is nothing of the kind. It is called not getting carried away with players we are linked with until they actually sign!

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