Newcastle Transfer News on Baines, Ben Haim and Viduka
Written by Ed Harrison
8:07am Sunday, June 3rd, 2007
Commented 10 times
There are reports that suggest some of the deals we thought were tied up are back in play – at least according to the papers. Are these reports true or is it another attempt to sell papers – here’s what we think.
Sam – Oh Have I Missed Him?
Newcastle seemed to be well in front in the battle for young Wigan left back Leighton Baines – but it’s looking like Everton will give us some competition for Leighton. Everton finished sixth in the league last year just two points behind Tottenham – so they have done very well under David Moyes and will be able to offer Baines UEFA football next season. However we still think Newcastle are in poll position to get Baines – who would be a good capture for Big Sam – this coming week hopefully. It’s understood from Wigan there have been no formal offers yet for Baines. Sam – go work that fax machine!
David Moyes – I’d love to have Baines
Both Liverpool and Chelsea are supposed to be in for Tal Ben Haim – who is now a free agent and obviously in big demand. Mourhino has just signed Bayern Munich’s Peruvian striker and free agent Claudio Pizarrot to add to the signing of free transfer Steve Sidwell and 16-year-old Oldham striker Danny Philliskirk. Ben Haim was ready to move to StamfordBridge in January if Bolton (Allardyce) had not demanded £3M – but we think Big Sam has convinced Tal to move to Newcastle to be part of his new vision for Newcastle. Mike Ashley taking over the reigns at Newcastle will also help. It’s little wonder so many clubs are after the Israeli – it shows how good a player he is and will be a great capture for Newcastle – stay tuned.
Tal Ben Haim in Demand
Just when we thought Mark Viduka was safely captured we hear that Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has had his holiday cut short by Millionaire Chairman David Gold to make an attempt to capture free agent Mark Viduka.Birmingham are said to be willing to offer the Middlesbrough striker Viduka a three-year deal worth about £5M. But why would Mark want to join Birmingham – and if he goes for the money – Sam wouldn’t want him at Newcastle in any case.
John – we hope it’s going to be different this time – his motivation is joining Sam and hoping he can be rejuvenated like Sam has done with many other older players. 😀
Sorry Mr Walker, like Birmingham can offer Viduka European football? Im pretty sure Viduka see’s this as his last big pay day, Newcastle would be an attractive option given that he wouldnt have to uproot his family. Newcastle I believe would give Viduka a fair wage and decent signing on fee and the fact he wouldnt have to move home means that he is more or less a done deal. I however wouldnt lose sleep if he did decide to go elsewhere as in my opinion there are better options in the striker department, his ‘free transfer’ is tempting and he is a decent strong old fashioned centre forward but to me I just dont see him as a Newcastle player.
I think it is key to tie up the Ben Haim and Baines deals. The danger is that (as ever at Newcastle) we are speculating over a volume of players and it prepares all of the other sides to step in a sign the players with much of the basic work done (such as Sidwell). With Viduka, I hope we get him, but as with Distin a few years ago if the player wants to go just for cash then fair enough.
Rushing through transfers can be good business or, as in our case too many times in the past, can unlitmatley lead to panic buying. Take Luque, Marcelino, Viana, Maric for starters, huge transfer fee’s so no-one else got them, did nowt for the club and were flogged on for next to nowt! Fair comment get the players in quickly but I think Sam has to make sure the players are right for Newcastle which can take a little time.
But at least we don’t appear to be paying over the odds, Viduke, Barton, Ben Haim, Baines for under £10 Million. Thas good shopping, especially if we get 8.5m for Parker.
The dukes has put a stone on and the big fat pay check is waiting for him. If you remember when he signed for the smoggies he was always injured up until last year. It will be another expensive burden on the payroll,
An update on my health situation - we have terminated the PluVicto treatment halfway through, because of the severity of the side effects - diarrhea, vomiting, and acid reflux.
And there was no evidence the treatment was having any positive effect in stopping the prostate cancer from spreading in the bones.
There are no treatments left for me to go on.
I will go into home hospice care now and will have a hospice nurse visit me at home regularly to ensure I am as comfortable as possible and we will treat the side effects of the treatments I have had.
It's down the final stretch now, and I have run out of treatments, and nature will now take its course.
I hope Newcastle can get many wins this season from now on, and I am at peace with all of this.
Thanks for all your help through the years - it's very much appreciated
10 comments so far
John Walker
Jun 3, 2007 at 8:37 AM
Comment #1What do you mean if Viduka decided to go to Birmingham just for money you wouldn’t want him?
What is his motivation other than money in going to Newcastle? You Hypocrite. You can’t offer european football or even the chance of a trophy.
Sorry I forgot its all going to be different this time.
Ed Harrison
Jun 3, 2007 at 8:43 AM
Comment #2John – we hope it’s going to be different this time – his motivation is joining Sam and hoping he can be rejuvenated like Sam has done with many other older players. 😀
Greg B
Jun 3, 2007 at 9:22 AM
Comment #3Sorry Mr Walker, like Birmingham can offer Viduka European football?
Im pretty sure Viduka see’s this as his last big pay day, Newcastle would be an attractive option given that he wouldnt have to uproot his family. Newcastle I believe would give Viduka a fair wage and decent signing on fee and the fact he wouldnt have to move home means that he is more or less a done deal.
I however wouldnt lose sleep if he did decide to go elsewhere as in my opinion there are better options in the striker department, his ‘free transfer’ is tempting and he is a decent strong old fashioned centre forward but to me I just dont see him as a Newcastle player.
Greg P
Jun 3, 2007 at 10:29 AM
Comment #4I think it is key to tie up the Ben Haim and Baines deals. The danger is that (as ever at Newcastle) we are speculating over a volume of players and it prepares all of the other sides to step in a sign the players with much of the basic work done (such as Sidwell).
With Viduka, I hope we get him, but as with Distin a few years ago if the player wants to go just for cash then fair enough.
Ed Harrison
Jun 3, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Comment #5Greg P – agree – Sam needs to sign some of his targets quickly – like early next week.
Neil
Jun 3, 2007 at 1:12 PM
Comment #6I don’t really care if we get Viduka, but we really need Baines and Ben Haim.
Greg B
Jun 3, 2007 at 2:41 PM
Comment #7Rushing through transfers can be good business or, as in our case too many times in the past, can unlitmatley lead to panic buying.
Take Luque, Marcelino, Viana, Maric for starters, huge transfer fee’s so no-one else got them, did nowt for the club and were flogged on for next to nowt!
Fair comment get the players in quickly but I think Sam has to make sure the players are right for Newcastle which can take a little time.
Steve Mills
Jun 3, 2007 at 6:35 PM
Comment #8But at least we don’t appear to be paying over the odds, Viduke, Barton, Ben Haim, Baines for under £10 Million. Thas good shopping, especially if we get 8.5m for Parker.
geordie
Jun 3, 2007 at 10:14 PM
Comment #9The dukes has put a stone on and the big fat pay check is waiting for him. If you remember when he signed for the smoggies he was always injured up until last year. It will be another expensive burden on the payroll,
geordie
Jun 3, 2007 at 10:17 PM
Comment #10Is kevin bond coming back ?
Freddie shepard and double standards come hand in hand