Corporate Meeting with Ashley (rumours)

[Baggio]

[

My two penneth. If we do not sign at least one top striker before the end of the window er're fucked. No way will we get a full season from Owen, definitely not from Viduka and Martins won't score enough.

 

Therfore no goals = buggered.

 

Not knee jerk either, June 10th everyone is saying we've got weeks till the end of the window, stop fucking panicking. Well now we have a little less than three weeks and my casino team has more strength in depth.

 

I agree that another striker would be most welcome, but i feel we will see more goals from midfield than in recent seasons due to a vastly different style of play.

 

It's going to be fun watching attacking football again.

 

Yeah but three or four injuries and we're up poo poo creek without the correct utensil.

 

That's the same for most clubs tbh, look around and see what the clubs we're supposed to be challenging have as a 4th choice striker.

[mrmojorisin75]

Sorry Mr.Morrywhatsyourface573908 I think what your trying to say is you need to spend money to go forward, correct? And breaking even shows a lack of ambition, correct?

 

Even if you have sold off your deadwood for a ridiculous price?

 

Or I might just be having one of those nights, it's been a long day.

 

interesting summation, i'll not bother making a humorous parody of your username however

 

there are few absolutes; our summer to date is simply not good enough, there's one for you though

 

if i was a spurs fan i'd be equally unimpressed i have to say, as many other people have pointed out they've not addressed the issues with their squad so spend (gross or net) isn't everything

 

i refer you back to our summer transfers to date at this point

 

Oh dear me it must have slipped my mind the transfer window had closed, its been a longer day than suspected.

 

Oh I suppose that means I can judge our summer spending.

 

No, I don't think anyone is delusional to think if we  stopped buying now we'd have anything less than a troublesome season, the fact is it's open for a another good couple of weeks yet where I'm sure Keegan et al will be grafting their bollocks off to bring some new faces in. Whether they're big money signings or not we'll see, but the fact is you can't surely judge a clubs progress 2/3 of the way through a transfer market on their net spend, or are you really that foolish?

 

ok, continue to repeatedly ignore all of my posts, including the opening one and last one where i write "summer transfers to date" after others not liking the net spend part, which is fair enough

 

go back to my first post and again, we'll see where we are sep 1st...RIGHT NOW it's not good enough is what i said and i hope to be dealt a swift kick in the balls by uncle mike and kk but i doubt it

 

right now, like it or not, the clubs spend is virtually the same as we ended MA's first summer season in charge, fact, whether it stays that way will tell it's own story

 

Rightio so why the fuck are you getting your knickers in a twist then?

 

'cause no-one reads posts anymore, they focus on something that supports what they want to say even if it's a tiny part of something else then push it to the limit - everything i summed up for you there was in my first post but you and others never read it properly, you just started on about net spend and 7 other kinds of bullshit

 

did no-one read my post and think "hm, yeah, our current net spend is very similar to last season isn't it?"

 

course they didn't, despite the fact it is

[WhatTheFunk]

 

tbh i don't see why some are up in arms over what mojorisin is saying!

 

if you read the posts properly, u'll not disagree with him too much

 

oh, wow, cheers mate, someone reads!!!!...i didn't think it was that revolutionary or outlandish either, if you read it

 

posts are made to be read iyam

 

imo it's not about ambition or lack thereof. just because we haven't completed the puzzle re recruitment this summer yet, does not exhibit a lack of ambition. conversely, just because we've splashed out 10 million on a centre half doesnt exhibit ambition either. it's the total sum of it all, come the end of this coming season, that will give us an indication where this club is headed.

 

so far, with all the restructuring going on at the club from top to bottom, the way i personally see it, we are moving in the right direction, and thus showing ambition to grow and claim our rightful place as a top club in the league (including league position)

 

patience doesn't cost anything, but medical attention costs a bundle. i hope some people would just calm the fuck down for now, and save popping that artery for when you catch your bird shagging someone she shouldnt be

 

keep the faith

[mrmojorisin75]

 

tbh i don't see why some are up in arms over what mojorisin is saying!

 

if you read the posts properly, u'll not disagree with him too much

 

oh, wow, cheers mate, someone reads!!!!...i didn't think it was that revolutionary or outlandish either, if you read it

 

posts are made to be read iyam

 

imo it's not about ambition or lack thereof. just because we haven't completed the puzzle re recruitment this summer yet, does not exhibit a lack of ambition. conversely, just because we've splashed out 10 million on a centre half doesnt exhibit ambition either. it's the total sum of it all, come the end of this coming season, that will give us an indication where this club is headed.

 

so far, with all the restructuring going on at the club from top to bottom, the way i personally see it, we are moving in the right direction, and thus showing ambition to grow and claim our rightful place as a top club in the league (including league position)

 

patience doesn't cost anything, but medical attention costs a bundle. i hope some people would just calm the fuck down for now, and save popping that artery for when you catch your bird shagging someone she shouldnt be

 

keep the faith

 

that's a damn fine post, i must say

[TRon]

Top stuff, enjoy

 

View From: Corporate Meeting at NUFC

By Grim_Reaper_1974 - 12/08/2008 10:45

Another new member to the forum and a very good first post on Talkofthetyne.com, but do you believe it??, Tell us what you think...

 

 

Hi all. I've been reading these pages for a while so I thought I'd finally register as I heard some interesting news this morning.

 

There has been a massive reduction in sales of corporate box renewals so last night NUFC had a meeting with 20 corporate clients last night to try to get them to renew. Ashley, Wise and Lambidas where all there to give their vision for Newcastle. My mates, fathers friend was one of the people invited. It was supposed to be an hour long meeting but it went on for 3 and Ashely didn't duck any questions.

 

On Newcastle - He was asked why he bought the Toon. He said wanted a football club but originally he was not interested in Newcastle simply because he never thought he could get it. His advisors rang him on the Friday and asked him if he was interested in the Toon, he said yes and they said he'd have to wire £150m there and then. By the following week he has also spent another 100m of his money to pay off the debts. He doesn't expect to make money as most premier league clubs haemorrhage it. Everton last season finished about 7th, spent nothing in transfers and still only made £2m, their chairman is getting sick and looking to sell. Apparently Liverpool are "in the sh!t" with no money. Benitiez has spent all his money on Keane and has no more for Barry. He also said under Shepherd's regime NUFC could have quite easily gone under.

 

On the papers - Don't believe anything you read in them, for example apparently the Sun had rang him a couple of weeks ago to ask about the takeover story that they where going to print . Ashley said it was rubbish but they still printed it anyway. The only press they do is the Sky Sports commitments. The only paper that they do talk to is the chronicle, however he said only believe them if the story is an "exclusive" and they are directly quoted.

 

On Investors - He is looking to sell 25%, preferably to Newcastle based investors. He would also be willing to loan another 100m of his own cash for transfers, this would need to be paid back. He doesn't want any Asian investors because he doesn't trust them (look at Man city) but would be willing to look at an African deal as no-one is doing that at the moment (offer them exclusive rights to market NUFC in their country) but there isn't much taking off on this so far.

 

On Keegan and Wise - Keegan makes all decisions on players coming and going. All wise is charged with is bringing in 6 under 17 players a season

 

On players - Ashley wanted to sack Barton, Keegan said no as he said he was good at Man City and expects him to be a good player here.

 

Smith - Ashley wants to sell him to Everton, Keegan said no as he said he is the best trainer, very popular in the dressing room and thinks if he scores he will get his confidence back, become better on the fans will like him ala Nicky Butt.

 

Guitterrez - There was about 7 clubs in the Premier League after him, including the top 4 but he wanted to come here. Keegan is delighted with him as he thinks he is class.

 

Coloccini - said it's a done deal. Keegan is thinking of playing him in midfield as a playmaker as apparently he is very good at it.

 

On Transfers - There is lots of money available but the trouble is attracting players because we are not in Europe. Keegan lists the players he wants and puts a valuation of them. They obviously try and get them for less but if the selling club wants more money it's Keegan decision to say if they are worth more or not. There is no wage limit, if they think someone is worth 120k a week they would get it, but at the same time they won't be held to ransom and offer more than that.

 

He still has to pay £3m a year for the next few years to Deportivo for Luque

 

Modric had agreed on terms and was willing to sign but as he was waiting at the Malmaison for the paperwork to be raised, Tottenham offered him a deal and he flew down to London, apparently Ashley is furious with spurs and Modric as once a deal has been agreed that should be sealed.

 

Aimar and his agent had agreed on 70k a week and they were delighted but his wife said no as she wouldn't move here. Apparently they had a blazing argument in front of Ashley. He moved to Benfica for half the wages we offered him.

 

He said we should get 3 big transfers in before the end of the season and one of them is going to be such a nig name that no-one will believe it. He expects it to happen nearer the end of the transfer deadline.

 

Overall the opinion was that he was very convincing and positive, so much so that this guy has decided to renew his box. It sounds good that he is backing Keegan. I'm not sure about Smith and Barton, personally I didn't want either of them when we bought them.

 

I guess the proof in the pudding regarding the transfers will be if we get these big names in. I hope we do because at the moment I think we will have another poor season as our squad is terrible and we are desperate for new players.

 

 

 

No idea whether this is genuine or not, but most of it rings true.

[greydos]

I'm all for what mrmojorisin is saying. Net spend is worryingly similar to last summer. If our transfers stop at where they are now (with Colo) it's not been a good enough summer. We needed a bigger squad last year, yet numbers wise we'll be the same.

 

Wish Dave would stop talking down spurs to be honest. Yes they've let go of Keane and POSSIBLY Berbatov, but they've brought 3 good players in place of 2. I'd take the 3 every time. Bentley can give you more than Keane's assists and possibly get you 10-15 goals. Bent plays as an out and out striker on the shoulder and can get 15-20 if he gets enough slide rule passes. And with Modric and Dos Santos behind him, it'll be like accurate slide rule passes are going out of fashion.

 

We need more quality players. At the moment we don't have them. If on September 1st we don't have them, i'm backdating my b*tching for the summer months when the 'wait a bit longerists' said we couldn't complain yet cause the window weren't over.

[Mowen]

I'm all for what mrmojorisin is saying. Net spend is worryingly similar to last summer. If our transfers stop at where they are now (with Colo) it's not been a good enough summer. We needed a bigger squad last year, yet numbers wise we'll be the same.

 

Wish Dave would stop talking down spurs to be honest. Yes they've let go of Keane and POSSIBLY Berbatov, but they've brought 3 good players in place of 2. I'd take the 3 every time. Bentley can give you more than Keane's assists and possibly get you 10-15 goals. Bent plays as an out and out striker on the shoulder and can get 15-20 if he gets enough slide rule passes. And with Modric and Dos Santos behind him, it'll be like accurate slide rule passes are going out of fashion.

 

We need more quality players. At the moment we don't have them. If on September 1st we don't have them, i'm backdating my b*tching for the summer months when the 'wait a bit longerists' said we couldn't complain yet cause the window weren't over.

 

I disagree over Spurs if they lose both Berbs and Keane. You can't get rid of the best facet of your team from the previous season and expect to progress.

[Mick]

I'm all for what mrmojorisin is saying. Net spend is worryingly similar to last summer. If our transfers stop at where they are now (with Colo) it's not been a good enough summer. We needed a bigger squad last year, yet numbers wise we'll be the same.

 

Wish Dave would stop talking down spurs to be honest. Yes they've let go of Keane and POSSIBLY Berbatov, but they've brought 3 good players in place of 2. I'd take the 3 every time. Bentley can give you more than Keane's assists and possibly get you 10-15 goals. Bent plays as an out and out striker on the shoulder and can get 15-20 if he gets enough slide rule passes. And with Modric and Dos Santos behind him, it'll be like accurate slide rule passes are going out of fashion.

 

We need more quality players. At the moment we don't have them. If on September 1st we don't have them, i'm backdating my b*tching for the summer months when the 'wait a bit longerists' said we couldn't complain yet cause the window weren't over.

 

Even if we end up numerically the same as last season we'll be better off because we've upgraded those who have gone, at least it looks like we have.  We'll not know the answer to that one by September 1st though.  Even the younger players will be closer to the first team because they've had another season of learning behind them.

[Dave]

I'm not talking Spurs down, just not talking them up like they're Barcelona which you'd think they were reading some posts.

[manorpark]

I'm all for what mrmojorisin is saying. Net spend is worryingly similar to last summer. If our transfers stop at where they are now (with Colo) it's not been a good enough summer. We needed a bigger squad last year, yet numbers wise we'll be the same.

 

Wish Dave would stop talking down spurs to be honest. Yes they've let go of Keane and POSSIBLY Berbatov, but they've brought 3 good players in place of 2. I'd take the 3 every time. Bentley can give you more than Keane's assists and possibly get you 10-15 goals. Bent plays as an out and out striker on the shoulder and can get 15-20 if he gets enough slide rule passes. And with Modric and Dos Santos behind him, it'll be like accurate slide rule passes are going out of fashion.

 

We need more quality players. At the moment we don't have them. If on September 1st we don't have them, i'm backdating my b*tching for the summer months when the 'wait a bit longerists' said we couldn't complain yet cause the window weren't over.

 

I disagree over Spurs if they lose both Berbs and Keane. You can't get rid of the best facet of your team from the previous season and expect to progress.

 

Spurs were in the relegation zone (the REAL relegation zone, not a late-season flirtation) for a large part of last season.

 

They will be again, and could possibly be relegated.

 

Just like last summer, they are being so frequently and so ridiculously "talked up"  -  so some people are (again) actually believing it!!

 

The power of a dedicated LONDON-OBSESSED ("national") media . . .

[Cronky]

I'm all for what mrmojorisin is saying. Net spend is worryingly similar to last summer. If our transfers stop at where they are now (with Colo) it's not been a good enough summer. We needed a bigger squad last year, yet numbers wise we'll be the same.

 

Wish Dave would stop talking down spurs to be honest. Yes they've let go of Keane and POSSIBLY Berbatov, but they've brought 3 good players in place of 2. I'd take the 3 every time. Bentley can give you more than Keane's assists and possibly get you 10-15 goals. Bent plays as an out and out striker on the shoulder and can get 15-20 if he gets enough slide rule passes. And with Modric and Dos Santos behind him, it'll be like accurate slide rule passes are going out of fashion.

 

We need more quality players. At the moment we don't have them. If on September 1st we don't have them, i'm backdating my b*tching for the summer months when the 'wait a bit longerists' said we couldn't complain yet cause the window weren't over.

 

I disagree over Spurs if they lose both Berbs and Keane. You can't get rid of the best facet of your team from the previous season and expect to progress.

 

Spurs were in the relegation zone (the REAL relegation zone, not a late-season flirtation) for a large part of last season.

 

They will be again, and could possibly be relegated.

 

Just like last summer, they are being so frequently and so ridiculously "talked up"  -  so some people are (again) actually believing it!!

 

The power of a dedicated LONDON-OBSESSED ("national") media . . .

 

With Spurs, whatever the quality of their attacking play, their defence will determine where they finish. That's been their weakness recently, and unless they can keep Ledley King fit, it'll continue to hold them back.

 

I feel quite happy with the signings we've made so far, and there are signs (eg Modric) that Ashley is prepared to pay big money if the right player becomes available. We just have to face the fact that we're not in the position that we were 10 years ago, when we could attract the very best.

[Cronky]

[

My two penneth. If we do not sign at least one top striker before the end of the window er're fucked. No way will we get a full season from Owen, definitely not from Viduka and Martins won't score enough.

 

Therfore no goals = buggered.

 

Not knee jerk either, June 10th everyone is saying we've got weeks till the end of the window, stop fucking panicking. Well now we have a little less than three weeks and my casino team has more strength in depth.

 

I agree that another striker would be most welcome, but i feel we will see more goals from midfield than in recent seasons due to a vastly different style of play.

 

It's going to be fun watching attacking football again.

 

Yeah but three or four injuries and we're up poo poo creek without the correct utensil.

 

That's the same for most clubs tbh, look around and see what the clubs we're supposed to be challenging have as a 4th choice striker.

 

I'd tend to agree with Mick. I'm not quite so pessimistic, but I don't have complete confidence in any of our strikers. You could say there's strength in depth, but I'd really like to see a new addition. Smith, Viduka and Shola are slow. Martins has pace and strength, but no finesse. Owen isn't what he was. Perhaps Carroll can rise to the occasion, but he looks a bit slow as well.

 

It's a shame, because I think a real top striker could make a big difference, a bit like Bellamy a few years ago.

[McCormick]

I'm all for what mrmojorisin is saying. Net spend is worryingly similar to last summer. If our transfers stop at where they are now (with Colo) it's not been a good enough summer. We needed a bigger squad last year, yet numbers wise we'll be the same.

 

Wish Dave would stop talking down spurs to be honest. Yes they've let go of Keane and POSSIBLY Berbatov, but they've brought 3 good players in place of 2. I'd take the 3 every time. Bentley can give you more than Keane's assists and possibly get you 10-15 goals. Bent plays as an out and out striker on the shoulder and can get 15-20 if he gets enough slide rule passes. And with Modric and Dos Santos behind him, it'll be like accurate slide rule passes are going out of fashion.

 

We need more quality players. At the moment we don't have them. If on September 1st we don't have them, i'm backdating my b*tching for the summer months when the 'wait a bit longerists' said we couldn't complain yet cause the window weren't over.

 

I disagree over Spurs if they lose both Berbs and Keane. You can't get rid of the best facet of your team from the previous season and expect to progress.

 

Spurs were in the relegation zone (the REAL relegation zone, not a late-season flirtation) for a large part of last season.

 

They will be again, and could possibly be relegated.

 

Just like last summer, they are being so frequently and so ridiculously "talked up"  -  so some people are (again) actually believing it!!

 

The power of a dedicated LONDON-OBSESSED ("national") media . . .

 

[Guest lebowski]

[

My two penneth. If we do not sign at least one top striker before the end of the window er're f***ed. No way will we get a full season from Owen, definitely not from Viduka and Martins won't score enough.

 

Therfore no goals = buggered.

 

Not knee jerk either, June 10th everyone is saying we've got weeks till the end of the window, stop f***ing panicking. Well now we have a little less than three weeks and my casino team has more strength in depth.

 

I agree that another striker would be most welcome, but i feel we will see more goals from midfield than in recent seasons due to a vastly different style of play.

 

It's going to be fun watching attacking football again.

 

Yeah but three or four injuries and we're up poo poo creek without the correct utensil.

Which is why I can't believe all the people who are so keen to let smith go for £3m. I understand he has been frustrating to watch. While i'm disappointed with his season last year I was pretty happy when we signed him because at the time there were plenty in our squad who looked like they didn't give a shit, whatever you think about Smith it is obvious he plays with passion. On that basis I fully understand why Keegan doesn't want to let him go for £3m. He is going to provide cover on the bench and you know he is going to give it his all. Given the size of our squad it would be madness to let him go without having a replacement lined up.

[johnnypd]

I'm all for what mrmojorisin is saying. Net spend is worryingly similar to last summer. If our transfers stop at where they are now (with Colo) it's not been a good enough summer. We needed a bigger squad last year, yet numbers wise we'll be the same.

 

Wish Dave would stop talking down spurs to be honest. Yes they've let go of Keane and POSSIBLY Berbatov, but they've brought 3 good players in place of 2. I'd take the 3 every time. Bentley can give you more than Keane's assists and possibly get you 10-15 goals. Bent plays as an out and out striker on the shoulder and can get 15-20 if he gets enough slide rule passes. And with Modric and Dos Santos behind him, it'll be like accurate slide rule passes are going out of fashion.

 

We need more quality players. At the moment we don't have them. If on September 1st we don't have them, i'm backdating my b*tching for the summer months when the 'wait a bit longerists' said we couldn't complain yet cause the window weren't over.

 

I disagree over Spurs if they lose both Berbs and Keane. You can't get rid of the best facet of your team from the previous season and expect to progress.

 

Spurs were in the relegation zone (the REAL relegation zone, not a late-season flirtation) for a large part of last season.

 

They will be again, and could possibly be relegated.

 

Just like last summer, they are being so frequently and so ridiculously "talked up"  -  so some people are (again) actually believing it!!

 

The power of a dedicated LONDON-OBSESSED ("national") media . . .

 

With Spurs, whatever the quality of their attacking play, their defence will determine where they finish. That's been their weakness recently, and unless they can keep Ledley King fit, it'll continue to hold them back.

 

 

A huge problem with spurs' defence was with the keeper, arguably the worst in the division in terms of gifting soft goals and throwing points away in an instant. that they've got rid of him and replaced him with a keeper who is supposed to be very good is a step in the right direction. they also have woodgate in for a full season (instead of a half season where ramos wasnt really interested in the league) and Corluka should be signing for them too.

[Fatwax]

I'm sick of people going on about Spurs and how we should be matching them. Last season they won a trophy and will be playing in europe this coming season. I'm sure that if that had been us then we'd have got the Modrics and the Woodgates.

 

All we can do is build a squad of hungry players that will WORK for the team and especially for the manager. Something that we haven't had in a long time. From watching pre-season alone (I know, I know) the 2 signings that I'd expect to be in or around the first team have shown at least some desire to want to play and have shown some skill on the ball.

 

I'm confident that we'll play well this season, with some great wins but equally with some frustrating losses. It's football, except this season we should be a little better at it. 

[madras]

I'm all for what mrmojorisin is saying. Net spend is worryingly similar to last summer. If our transfers stop at where they are now (with Colo) it's not been a good enough summer. We needed a bigger squad last year, yet numbers wise we'll be the same.

 

Wish Dave would stop talking down spurs to be honest. Yes they've let go of Keane and POSSIBLY Berbatov, but they've brought 3 good players in place of 2. I'd take the 3 every time. Bentley can give you more than Keane's assists and possibly get you 10-15 goals. Bent plays as an out and out striker on the shoulder and can get 15-20 if he gets enough slide rule passes. And with Modric and Dos Santos behind him, it'll be like accurate slide rule passes are going out of fashion.

 

We need more quality players. At the moment we don't have them. If on September 1st we don't have them, i'm backdating my b*tching for the summer months when the 'wait a bit longerists' said we couldn't complain yet cause the window weren't over.

 

I disagree over Spurs if they lose both Berbs and Keane. You can't get rid of the best facet of your team from the previous season and expect to progress.

 

Spurs were in the relegation zone (the REAL relegation zone, not a late-season flirtation) for a large part of last season.

 

They will be again, and could possibly be relegated.

 

Just like last summer, they are being so frequently and so ridiculously "talked up"  -  so some people are (again) actually believing it!!

 

The power of a dedicated LONDON-OBSESSED ("national") media . . .

 

With Spurs, whatever the quality of their attacking play, their defence will determine where they finish. That's been their weakness recently, and unless they can keep Ledley King fit, it'll continue to hold them back.

 

 

A huge problem with spurs' defence was with the keeper, arguably the worst in the division in terms of gifting soft goals and throwing points away in an instant. that they've got rid of him and replaced him with a keeper who is supposed to be very good is a step in the right direction. they also have woodgate in for a full season (instead of a half season where ramos wasnt really interested in the league) and Corluka should be signing for them too.

it wasn't even their defence that was the problem it was their defending throughout the team,which,in my opinion has been a long term problem and still hasn't been adressed player wise. it'll be interesting to see if ramos can make the change for them mentality/tactically wise.

[themanupstairs]

I'm sick of people going on about Spurs and how we should be matching them. Last season they won a trophy and will be playing in europe this coming season. I'm sure that if that had been us then we'd have got the Modrics and the Woodgates.

 

All we can do is build a squad of hungry players that will WORK for the team and especially for the manager. Something that we haven't had in a long time. From watching pre-season alone (I know, I know) the 2 signings that I'd expect to be in or around the first team have shown at least some desire to want to play and have shown some skill on the ball.

 

I'm confident that we'll play well this season, with some great wins but equally with some frustrating losses. It's football, except this season we should be a little better at it. 

 

sorry mate, i don't agree there. i don't believe it's the trophy they won last season, as much as it's Juande Ramos being the main footballing reason in attracting players to WHL. The man has shown he can produce exciting teams, challenge the top brass in Spain, and win trophies. IMO he's been the massive difference between spurs and ourselves this close season. Add to that european football, london, and the itk agreement society, and you would be a fool to choose us over them.

 

no disrespect to Keegan, and i love the man, but Ramos is on another planet

[sempuki]

Michael Dell - it's getting farcical now.

 

 

Aston Villa back in hunt for James Milner

 

Aug 13 2008 by Alan Oliver, Evening Chronicle

James Milner

 

ASTON Villa are ready to come back in and test Newcastle United’s resolve to hang on to their England Under-21 winger James Milner.

 

The talk from The Midlands is that Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is ready to make a £6m offer for Milner – and this after he completed his seventh signing of the close season when he paid Rangers £7.8m for their Spanish central defender Carlos Cuellar.

 

Cuellar was watched by Kevin Keegan and Terry McDermott in some of the Gers’ European games at the end of last season, but United instead turned to Fabricio Coloccini as their big-money buy for this problem position.

 

The Chronicle reported last month that, after being linked with both Aston Villa and Liverpool, United’s top brass insisted Milner was staying at St James’s Park.

 

And Keegan will do all he can to make sure Milner remains a United player in his paper-thin first-team squad, which could yet be strengthened by another player from Real Mallorca.

 

But whether the United boss will let Abdoulaye Faye, subject of a £2m bid by Stoke City, head off to the Potteries remains to be seen.

 

However, there was better news for Keegan as United target Stephen Warnock has handed in a transfer request at Blackburn.

 

Warnock is fully aware of United’s interest and, after hearing his new manager Paul Ince say no-one will be following David Bentley and Brad Friedel out of the Ewood Park door, the former Liverpool player immediately slapped in a transfer request.

 

One transfer that looks as though it will go through in the next 48 hours is not so good news.

 

For Manchester United have agreed to pay Spurs £25m for their Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, and he was in the North West today to discus personal terms.

 

If the deal does go through the $64,000 question is whether Sir Alex Ferguson, with Cristiano Ronaldo already ruled out and with Wayne Rooney doubtful because of a virus, will hand Berbatov his debut against Newcastle in Sunday’s opener at Old Trafford.

 

But United could soon be again competing with the likes of Man U for the big-money players if Mike Ashley finds a new business partner.

 

And he could have found one with news coming out of the City that the United owner is due to meet Dell Computer Corporations chief executive Michael Dell this week.

 

[Dave]

Warnock is fully aware of United’s interest and, after hearing his new manager Paul Ince say no-one will be following David Bentley and Brad Friedel out of the Ewood Park door, the former Liverpool player immediately slapped in a transfer request.

 

Good timing Alan.