sempuki

I feel your pain brother. It's August tomorrow and well, everyone knows the rest.....

Collocini, Bassong, Inler and Derdiyok (still at FC Basel I think) would* fit our profile. Get shot of Duff, Ameobi etc. and in reality it would be an inexpensive summer with quality added to the squad. *"would" used in a way not to sound presumptious and wreck any potential deal(s). Paranoia is clearly setting in!

I think he's a good player and with our current position and with the season starting soon he's as good as we are going to get. Besides with that mop he's bound to become a cult hero of sorts.

I didn't realise they were so "close".

On form today - 1 "wide of the mark" and a humourous quip about Senderos: Keegan and Wise hold talks on Bassong Jul 28 2008 by Alan Oliver, Evening Chronicle Sebastien Bassong KEVIN KEEGAN plans talks with his director of football Dennis Wise this week before deciding whether to sign Newcastle United trialist Sebastien Bassong. At £1.5m, the Metz defender comes into United’s price range, but the fact he is already back in France will not give him much hope of finding a permanent peg in the St James’s Park dressing room. Wise and scout Jeff Vetere were at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday where Bassong played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 defeat by Doncaster Rovers. To be fair to the 22-year-old French Under-21 international, he did OK in the No 46 shirt, although it has to be said that along with the rest of the United back four, they were not put under the sort of pressure they will get in the Premier League. And this even though it was obvious that the travelling Toon Army hadn’t a clue who he was as there were no PA announcements. This was because Doncaster wanted to keep the identities of their three trialists a secret in case they were spotted by other watching clubs. But Keegan emerged after the game to tell me: “I thought Sebastien did very well, and he now goes back to Metz. “We’ve got a chance to sign him, and I’ll talk with Dennis, and just see where we go from here. “That’s the first time I’ve seen him in a match. He’s a nice lad. We had him all week. He’s in the French Under-21s so he’s no mug – he can play.” Bassong, who was born in Paris and prefers to play on the left of the defence, has made more than 70 appearances for Metz. Meanwhile, United fans have every right to hope that reports circulating over the weekend that the club has made a £4m bid for Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos are wide of the mark. For the Swiss international is regarded by many as a rich man’s Titus Bramble, known for making plenty of mistakes. The Chronicle revealed on Saturday night that United are looking at Argentinian defenders Fabricio Coloccini and Nicolas Burdisso. Both are central defenders, but Coloccini has operated at right-back for Deportivo La Coruna, while Burdisso has shown with Inter Milan that he is also at home at left-back. And Keegan admitted at Doncaster on Saturday that his priorities are two full-backs.

He said we were signing Aimar and look how that turned out.

They know we are / were mugs after coughing up so much for Luque. Do they still have that President? If they do expect a very drawn out process with us paying far too much. Although with the current board no doubt that won't happen.

Is this a new policy? Buy as many players from The Corned Beef Isle? If only we had signed Aimar. If they do arrive I'm sure they'll be a step up on Cordone and Bassedas.

More Argies! "the transfer fee is usually spread over three or four seasons" - are we really that reluctant to spend money?

The latest from Crater face: Keegan lines up two Argentinian stars Jul 26 2008 by Alan Oliver, Evening Chronicle Kevin Keegan NEWCASTLE United have set their sights on TWO Argentinian central defenders – and Kevin Keegan will be happy to sign ONE of them before he takes his side to Old Trafford three weeks tomorrow. But if United can pull off both signings they should have no trouble gelling, because they have played together in the same Argentinian national team, along with new boy Jonas Gutierrez. United’s recruitment team of Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez have been on the trail of Deportivo La Coruna’s Fabricio Coloccini for some time now, and he was linked with a move to St James’s Park in Glenn Roeder’s time as manager. But the Chronicle can reveal that United are also looking at Coloccini’s fellow Argentinian Nicolas Burdisso, who is now with Inter Milan. Both Burdisso and Coloccini are products of Argentina’s most famous club – Boca Juniors. Coloccini is 26 and, after starting his career with Boca, he has seen service with AC Milan and four clubs on loan – San Lorenzo, Alaves, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal – before linking up with Deportivo in 2004. But he did not play in either of the InterToto Cup semi-finals with United in 2005 – both of which were won 2-1 by the Spanish outfit. What Kevin Keegan will like about Coloccini is that he is as comfortable at right-back as he is as a central defender. Burdisso and Coloccini have been together in the Argentinian side since 2003, and they have 20 and 27 full caps respectively. Burdisso hit the headlines in a Champions League game between Valencia and Inter Milan a year past March when a fracas broke out and he suffered a broken nose following a punch in the face from opposing player David Navarro. Apart from Nobby Solano and Tino Asprilla, United have not been well served by players from South America in recent years. But the beauty of bringing in players from abroad is that the transfer fee is usually spread over three or four seasons. However, United will be happy once they have completed the signing of Gutierrez from Real Mallorca, and they do not seem to have any problem bringing in players from South America. And they are still trying to persuade Liverpool to let them have their Argentinian left-back Emiliano Insua.

has alot of premiership experience but personally i never liked him. he plays as RM,maybe AM... what else? does people here rate him btw? Not impressed with his play and especially not his personality. The first bit of stick he'd get and some poor kid would be covered with Senegalese hockle. No thanks to the likes of him - Barton is more than enough.

Funny stuff: YOUNES KABOUL has dealt a KO blow to Roy Keane, admitting: I would not go to Sunderland — even if there was an earthquake. SunSport revealed Keano had struck a ｣14million deal with Spurs for four players. Kaboul, Steed Malbranque, Pascal Chimbonda and Teemu Tainio were all wanted at Sunderland. Black Cats boss Keano even stayed on Wearside to negotiate the deal while the rest of the squad jetted out to Portugal yesterday on a pre-season tour. But Finnish ace Tainio is the only one who fancies the move, with Malbranque, Kaboul and Chimbonda keeping their options open. Keane will try everything to talk them round but appears to be fighting a losing battle with French ace Kaboul. Defender Kaboul’s agent, Rudy Raba, said: 添ounes wouldn’t join Sunderland — even if there was an earthquake. 展e have more interesting options than Sunderland. ''I can tell you for sure that he’s going to stay in England next season and, at Portsmouth, you are more watched. 哲o disrespect, but playing at Sunderland would not help his international career.・ Meanwhile, striker Anthony Stokes looks set to win his battle to stay at Sunderland. Republic of Ireland ace Stokes, 19, and former Manchester United star Kieran Richardson, 23, are among players who failed to impress Keane last season. But the Mackems chief said: 的 spoke to one or two at the end of the season and said ‘Do you want to stay here’? 溺y first impression now they have come back is that they do want to stay. 典hey want to be part of Sunderland and that’s good for me. 釘ut we shouldn’t really be praising players too much just for coming back to pre-season training in half decent shape. 的 would much rather be talking about them at Christmas for being in tip-top form.・

Alan has spoken: Newcastle fail in bid for Anton Ferdinand Jul 16 2008 by Alan Oliver, Evening Chronicle NEWCASTLE United appear to have failed in an ambitious bid to pair West Ham’s Anton Ferdinand with his former England under-21 colleague Steven Taylor at St James’s Park. This leaves Kevin Keegan still desperately looking for another central defender before the new season starts in a month’s time. The United boss was keen on Ferdinand and, with West Ham looking to cut their wage bill, he thought he was in with a chance of signing him. However, the player has made it clear he is not interested in switching from London to Tyneside. The talk coming out of East London is that, while West Ham would have preferred to do a straight cash deal for the 23-year-old brother of England and Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand, manager Alan Curbishley would have been interested in taking winger Damien Duff in part-exchange. While any deal involving Ferdinand now looks dead, it remains to be seen whether Curbishley will follow up his interest in Duff. Duff has hardly been a success since his £5m switch from Chelsea to St James’s Park exactly two years ago, and the fact United have signed another left-winger in Jonas Gutierrez will hardly have done the Republic of Ireland international’s confid-ence much good. Ironically, Duff’s only Premier League goal for United came in the win over West Ham at Upton Park at the start of the 2006-07 season. If he does end up in East London, Duff will join former United men Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker and Lee Bowyer. What perhaps would be a surprise to some Hammers fans is the fact West Ham appear prepared to let Ferdinand go. Ferdinand’s decision will be a blow to Keegan, coming just two weeks after United finally tied Taylor down on a long-term contract. Keegan was happy to go with a Taylor-Abdoulaye Faye central defensive pairing at the end of last season, but he only has 20-year-old David Edgar and Claudio Cacapa as cover.

Good news.

Trying to forget about him.

From the ever reliable People: DUFF PLOY FOR ANTON By Dave Kidd Newcastle will offer Damien Duff to West Ham in a player-plus-cash bid for Anton Ferdinand. Toon boss Kevin Keegan is keen to land Ferdinand and re-create his England Under-21 central defensive partnership with Steven Taylor. Tottenham have also registered interest in Ferdinand but neither club has come close to Hammers' £10m valuation. West Ham boss Alan Curbishley wants to bring in a left winger, with Luis Boa Morte and Matty Etherington both likely to leave Upton Park. And Newcastle believe Republic of Ireland man Duff, 29, could tempt them to part with Ferdinand. Duff, once signed by Chelsea for £17m, - returned from a serious ankle injury last season but has failed to nail down a regular first-team place.

Here we go again. If we are that broke (typical that we get a Billionaire who keeps his hand in his pocket) Martins would be one of the last I'd sell.

Evans and Baptista in　The Sun today: KEVIN KEEGAN is ready to get right up Roy Keane’s nose — by making a move for Manchester United’s Jonny Evans. Northern Ireland defender Evans, 19, was a smash hit at Sunderland last season during his second loan spell with the Mackems but has since returned to Old Trafford. Boss Alex Ferguson is an admirer but the teen knows he will struggle to break into the United first team. King Kev will try to tempt Evans to St James’ Park with a lucrative deal to keep him away from Wearside. The Toon are also keeping tabs on former Arsenal strike star Julio Baptista. The Brazilian is not wanted by Real Madrid and has snubbed approaches from Blackburn and Spurs.

Derdiyok linked in The Mirror this morning.

Linked with Collocini in The Sun - would have him at the right price.

Uncomplimentary to us as usual but he gets a glowing report from the BBC: Arshavin would grace Premier League Andrei Arshavin made a delayed entry into Euro 2008 - but Russia's little master delivered a performance that was well worth the wait. Guus Hiddink's young side needed inspiration to get the victory over Sweden that would give them a quarter-final against Holland on Saturday and the return of Arshavin after suspension was perfectly timed. The man who master-minded Zenit St Petersburg's Uefa Cup triumph delivered the sort of display that underscored why he is coveted by clubs in the Premier League. Arshavin first came to my attention seriously on a freezing night at Goodison Park in December when Everton beat Zenit in a Uefa Cup group game. He may have been on the losing side, but there was no doubting his pedigree and it was no surprise he swiftly became a transfer target for David Moyes. Arshavin was swift of thought and limb, and while his finishing was wayward he made light of his slight frame to illuminate the game. Andrei Arshavin Everton's interest, as so often, has been talked about without materialising into fact and after he destroyed Sweden I suspect he may have more illustrious clubs on his trail. Sorry to sound cruel Everton fans, but I am afraid that falls into the harsh but fair category. I do not see why Arshavin would end up at Everton. Newcastle United and Manchester City have also been linked, but gone are the days when the riches of the Premier League can prise away the pride of impoverished Russian clubs. Zenit are cash rich and the word is that Arshavin is on £50,000-a-week - limiting the clubs who will move seriously for a player who has been catapulted to prominence in recent weeks. Newcastle is hardly a mouth-watering prospect. Arshavin will not earn that much more money in the current round of belt-tightening at St James' Park and why should he entertain a club that cannot even offer him European football next season? Nope. I would imagine he would be happy to give Everton and the Toon Army the swerve, even if they somehow conjured up enough cash to even be granted an audience with him. Manchester City have shown an interest in Arshavin along with CSKA Moscow's Brazilian striker Jo, and he may be worth more of a gamble than splashing £200,000-a-week on the fading Ronaldinho, who I believe is past his best and will not be motivated to re-ignite his career in the unlikely surroundings of Eastlands. He may carry the element of a gamble - I well recall how Sergei Rebrov was a sure thing when Spurs paid £11m to sign him from Dynamo Kiev. He was a player who looked to have all the elements of a world star, but was awful at White Hart Lane. But Arshavin looks made of sterner stuff, and when a man of Hiddink's pedigree claims he is the cleverest player he has ever managed, that's good enough for me. There is always a danger in buying a player after a big tournament, but Arshavin looks the real deal. A classic number 10 playing just off the front man and setting traps for the opposition all over the pitch, I would love to see Arshavin in the Premier League - and a few of his team-mates for that matter. What about Aleksandr Anyukov? He is another Zenit star and a raiding defender who has looked outstanding. And Yuri Zhirkov - the "Russian Ronaldinho". I could go on and probably would given half a chance. Russia have been transformed from a side that struggled against Spain to looking a very dangerous and confident team - and I fancy them to give the Netherlands a real run for their money in Basel. Hiddink's tactics will be fascinating. We have seen how the Dutch love to kill on the counter-attack and Russia showed the instincts to go forward with pace and in numbers to outclass Sweden. Will Hiddink alter Russia's game plan against his native country or will he let Arshavin pull the strings? I can't wait to see how it unfolds - but Russia's Euro 2008 campaign looked to be gathering ominous momentum against Sweden and the Netherlands will need to be on their guard.

Although he is in Africa to promote his football foundation, so fair's fair. Should be banged up with Barton.... if you believe any of that, you should be banged up in funny farm It's hard not to believe due to his rather extensive "previous".

A former player in public! What a total #####: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1295445.ece

We've done loads of deals with PSG over the years - can see this one being realistic.

Not sure about Kaboul but would be happy with the rest. The chances of signing VDV must be microscopic. Kaboul has a lot of potensial. I would say yes to bring him in! They said we were after Reyes last week. The use a new name every week to sell papers.