SUPERTOON

Sunderland and West Ham are locked in talks over Calum Davenport, skysports.com understands.

Pompey sign Mullins and Pele.

Magpies close to signing Ebondo Jan 26 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal NEWCASTLE United hope to complete their second signing of the January transfer window with Toulouse right-back Albin Ebondo expected on Tyneside today to discuss personal terms. With the Magpies also close to finalising a fee for a central midfielder, thought to be Rennes’ Stephane Mbia, manager Joe Kinnear is finally starting to get somewhere in the transfer market after weeks of frustrating delays and knock backs. A Newcastle delegation was in France over the weekend to thrash out a deal with Toulouse for Ebando, and a fee of around £3.5m is believed to have been agreed yesterday for a player who has made more than 80 appearances for Ligue 1’s surprise packages. That should allow the 24-year-old, who has been talked about as a future France international this season, to fly to Tyneside in the next 48 hours. There is even a chance the promising full-back will be a Newcastle player in time to make his debut against Manchester City on Wednesday night. Although Ebondo is not well known in England, he has plenty of admirers in France and, as Habib Beye will be out for at least another 10 weeks with the knee injury he suffered against Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day, the signing of the Marseille-born defender would be a significant breakthrough for Kinnear. “A team from Newcastle has been over there talking to the club and the player and we’re confident he’ll be here on Monday,” said Kinnear, who may, however, also have to brace himself for some bad news regarding Shay Given’s future at Newcastle today. “We will work right until the final minute of the final day of the window to bring in the players we want. We are working around the clock to get the players we need but it’s not an easy time of the year to do business and it’s been hard work. “But I do feel as though we are getting somewhere and if I can bring in the two players we’re close to agreeing deals for then I’ll be feeling a lot happier about the state of the squad. “I identified Albin Ebondo when I went to see Toulouse play a few weeks ago and he will be an excellent player for us, I’m confident about that. Hopefully he’ll be here on Monday and in training with the rest of the squad straight after that.” Kinnear continued: “With Habib Beye still on crutches and likely to be out of action for at least another couple of months we desperately need a right-back. “We’ve asked Steven Taylor to play there in the last few games and he’s been struggling with a calf problem and has needed pain-killing injections just to get out on to the pitch. That’s not been fair on him or us. “People haven’t fully appreciated the plight we’re in. We’re getting on with things the best we can and the new players will give us a lift.” Kinnear also insisted he was not allowing himself to become too despondent about the team’s poor recent results, which have left them just above the relegation places. He said: “We were second from bottom when I came here and I said it was going to be tough then. I didn’t realise we were going to have to cope with so many injuries and that has really hurt us, but we are in a better position than we were in September and I’m not a doom and gloom merchant. “Other people can throw stones at us and criticise me, but it won’t get me down. There is a lot of pressure in this part of the world, but we will get on with the job we have to do and that’s keeping Newcastle United in the Premier League.” Meanwhile, the Magpies are also in talks with Celtic regarding the possible transfer of Hoops captain Stephen McManus. The 26-year-old is keen to leave Scottish football following a deterioration in his relationship with Celtic fans, who have blamed him for the Glasgow club’s recent slump in form. When they were initially approached by Newcastle earlier this month, Celtic enquired about the possibility of a swap deal involving Magpies full-back José Enríque, but the current SPL leaders ended their interest in the former Spain Under-21 international when they discovered that he earns more than £40,000 a week on Tyneside. However, that does not mean the deal for McManus is dead with sources in Scotland last night indicating a bid of just £3m would probably be enough to bring the centre-back south of the border.

He doesn't even have a step one. You really need to get some better insults mate, has anyone ever laughed at one of your posts ever? I'm a f***ing riot, and the sooner you realize that the better. Keep up the great posts and it wont take long

Would be a sensible and positive signing, within our budget in the position Kinnear wants to fill. meaning he aint coming here.

He doesn't even have a step one. You really need to get some better insults mate, has anyone ever laughed at one of your posts ever?

After a puch up with Kinnear.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2009/01/22/derek-llambias-move-to-step-up-player-hunt-72703-22752951/ Derek Llambias move to step up player hunt Jan 22 2009 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle NEWCASTLE UNITED managing director Derek Llambias has moved his office to the club’s training ground to step up efforts to buy new players as time runs out in the transfer window. Llambias is still in discussions with Peter Lovenkrands’ agent over a move to Tyneside until the end of the season, but so far there have been no new faces through the door at St James’s Park. Toon boss Joe Kinnear is working with Llambias over transfers as United look to bolster their paper-thin squad before the window slams shut on February 2. Kinnear told the Chronicle: “Derek’s down here on a permanent basis. “I’ve moved him to the training ground – I wanted him more hands-on. “We need to be able to move quickly, and it’s easier to coordinate things if we’re working together at the training ground. “We’ve made bids for a number of players, and we’re waiting to hear from their clubs.” Lovenkrands’ agent jetted into Tyneside this week after the Dane impressed Kinnear during a behind-closed-doors friendly match with Carlisle United. The 28-year-old is a free agent after leaving German club Schalke 04 last month and is keen to sign. A source close to the Dane said today: “Peter is desperate to sign for Newcastle and wants to show the fans what he is capable of.”

A net spend of £5,000, wonder if we beat it in this window.

Explains him wanting rid of the big earners- even though he gave some of them the contracts. Also seems certain that we will continue to see the youngsters signed.

Thought most Spurs fans thought there weakest area was at CM. Got to agree if Jenas gets a game.

Dont think he will though, when its the final and your one game away you really want it even more.

Saved yoursleves 2 million then. Depends whether winning the Championship counts or not.

Saved yoursleves 2 million then.

He has had a setback and will be out for a bit longer according to the Journal.

Being kept out of the Bolton team by Andy O'Brien.

He didn't want the 1st or 3rd managers to be fair like. 1st yeah i agree with, but without getting into another Keegan debate if he had backed KK then he wouldnt have had to bring in JFK.

No he has had 3 transfer windows and 3 managers to win us over and he has failed.

I cant believe you post half the s*** you post and unlike Taylor, no one asked you either. You collected your award yet?

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_4823209,00.html

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_4823209,00.html

Actually cant believe he spoke about his goal.

Lyon mulling over Faubert swoop French champions Lyon have hinted they could be interested in signing West Ham's wantaway midfielder Julien Faubert. The former Bordeaux man has recently suggested he is keen to return to French football to boost his national team prospects. He has been linked with Nantes and Paris Saint-Germain, while Faubert has claimed he would relish the chance to join Lyon. The Ligue 1 leaders are looking to strengthen their right-hand side and special advisor Bernard Lacombe concedes Faubert is one option being considered. "Faubert is a player that is capable of getting our attention," Lacombe told Le 10 Sport. "But we have several trails. The right full-back position is our priority." Lacombe also confirmed there has yet to be any movement regarding the situation of Fred, who claimed last week he was wanted by Stoke. The Brazilian striker has been linked with a move to Palmeiras and Lyon are waiting for any offers to take Fred on a free transfer. "The Fred situation doesn't improve," added Lacombe. "We haven't had any offer from Palmeiras. They can't invest money on a free transfer. "Fred is free! Fred just has to find a club."

Probably already mentioned but Fred is available on a free transfer, would be worth a gamble.

Not injured though, just been called up for Ireland.