Transfer Window Special #3.3: Rumored Defense/Goalkeeper Targets

This is part three (well, part of it) of a four part series about the upcoming transfer window, perhaps the most anticipated summer in Newcastle's recent history.  Check out the other entries in this series:

Part 1: Identifying Areas of Need

Part 2: Purchasing Strategies

Part 3.1: Rumored Striker Targets

Part 3.2: Rumored Midfield Targets

Part 3.4: Outgoing Player Rumors (future post)

Part 4: The Final Wishlist (future post)

Part of delving into the world of player acquisition is listening to rumors passed on (often generated) by the football media.  As unsavory as that can be, it's also kind of fun - each player linked to the club offers the fan an opportunity to imagine a new future.  In this case, the Toon Army hopes to replace Jose Enrique Sanchez...if not retain him.

Below, I have included a short profile on each defender and goaltender mentioned by a major publication to have ties to Newcastle since February 1.  The list is intended to be comprehensive but there is little doubt that I have missed some rumors and have incomplete information on the ones I happened to catch.  Any help you can give me in the comments is more than appreciated.  I plan to update this and the other lists scheduled to be posted every 1-2 weeks or as needed. 

It should be stated repeatedly and strongly that these are only rumors and the information contained here may or may not be accurate.  Though I do strive for accuracy, mistakes and misinformation are an unavoidable side effect of undertaking this endeavor.

Follow the jump for a brief profile on each of the 13 defenders and 4 goaltenders currently rumored to be transfer targets of Newcastle United.

Miguel Monteiro (Valencia)

Wing Back, 31 yo, 5'10"

Still speedy, decent crosser

Rumored price: Unknown

Also interested: Aston Villa

 

John Arne Riise (AS Roma)

Left Back, 30 yo, 6'1"

Strong, great awareness, capable of quality crossing

Rumored price: £3 million

Also interested: Liverpool, Aston Villa, Marseilles

 

Jordan Spence (West Ham)

Center Back/Right Back, 21 yo, 6'3"

Mistake-prone, tends to fade as the match goes on

Rumored price: Free transfer

Also interested: Aston Villa

 

Cheikh M'Bengue (Toulouse)

Left Back, 22 yo, 6'0"

5 million euro bid rejected in April

Rumored price: £5 million

Also interested: Nobody?

 

Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)

Left Back, 29 yo, 5'10"

Inconsistent; Stock has dropped a ton in the last year

Rumored price: £2-4 million

Also interested: Liverpool, Stoke City, Bolton Wanderers

 

Matthew Upson (West Ham)

Defender, 32 yo, 6'1"

Strong, has lost a step

Rumored price: Free transfer

Also interested: Nobody?

 

Guy Demel (Hamburg)

Right Back/Midfielder, 29 yo, 6'2"

Keen awareness, strong tackler

Hamburg wants to trim wages, Demel "available at the right price"

Rumored price: Unknown

Also interested: Sunderland

 

Mathias Jorgensen (FC Copenhagen)

Center Back, 21 yo, 6'3"

Danish "Talent of the Year" in 2008

Rumored price: Unknown

Also interested: Spurs, Everton, Roma, Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim, Bolton Wanderers, Werder Bremen, Hamburg

 

Eliaquim Mangala (Standard Liege)

Center Back, 20 yo, 6'2"

Big strong presence capable of moving the ball

Mangala's agent: "I hope to have some offers from some English clubs"

Rumored price: £4 million

Also interested: AC Milan, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur

 

Raphael Varane (Lens)

Center Back, 18 yo, 6'3"

"Comfortable on both the tactical and technical level," pacy and strong

Recently signed new deal, but thought to be leaving following Lens' relegation

Rumored price: £3-10 million

Also interested: Manchester United, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Varane also claims interest from Spain

 

Ashley Williams (Swansea City)

Center Back, 26 yo, 6'

Incredibly durable and consistent, has received several accolades in the Championship

Rumored price: Unknown

Also interested: Celtic

 

Abdou Kader Mangane (Rennes)

Defender/Defensive Midfielder, 28 yo, 6'3"

Calls playing in the Prem a "dream move," citizenship issues prevented prior moves to England

Rumored price: Unknown

Also interested: Liverpool, Aston Villa

 

Paul Konchesky (Liverpool)

Left Back, 30 yo, 5'10"

Struggles at Anfield were well documented

Played for Pardew at West Ham

Rumored price: Jose Enrique

Also interested: Fulham

 

Robert Green (West Ham)

Goalkeeper, 31 yo, 6'3"

Famous for letting in Clint Dempsey's goal in the 2010 World Cup; still, a good shot-blocker who was unfortunate to play behind the worst defense in the Premier League this season

Rumored price: Unknown

Also interested: Aston Villa

 

Keiran Westwood (Coventry City)

Goalkeeper, 26 yo, 6'2"

League One Team of the Year, 2008; Championship Team of the Year, 2009

Rumored price: Free transfer

Also interested: Celtic (Please do. Leave Forster alone.), Wigan Athletic, Everton, Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Sunderland

 

Thibaut Cortois (Racing Genk)

Goalkeeper, 19 yo, 6'6"

Rumored price: £3-6 million

Also interested: Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur

 

Silvio Proto (Anderlecht)

Goalkeeper, 28 yo, 6'

Recently broke his foot, out until at least July

Rumored price: Unknown

Also interested: Arsenal