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Good morning to you, whose quest for knowledge brings you to this morning's links post! This week constitutes our first long week in quite a long time (no midweek fixtue!) and the news is taking advantage of the situation to whip up the silly season into full furor. As such, the preponderance of the links today deal with transfer rumors.
You may consume these links as you see fit, but it is my encouragement for you to keep your salt shaker close. As a matter of fact, you may just grab a hanful of grains for today's stories. After the jump, Erdinc, Tavernier, Hoilett, Zaha, that wretched rumor about the former number 9 shirt and more!
Newcastle United rubbish Manchester United Ba claims - Black & White - Shields Gazette
Armand Doorn, who claimed to be part of Ba’s management team headed up by his brother, said he had fielded numerous calls about the forward, who has hit 15 goals for the Magpies this season. However, Newcastle sources insist Doorn is NOT one of Ba’s representatives, and that there have been no bids for the player. Ba, currently on African Cup of Nations duty, has been the subject of transfer speculation since Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp revealed the player had a release clause in his United contract, with Paris St Germain linked with a move.
Thanks to Harry Redknapp, we will have to sit through a whole month of this. Nothing really new in this story except for to name the alleged agent who is helping whip this thing up. Also, the Gazette references a Ba twitter account, of which there have been many spring up. I am not sure how or if they have verified that account...
Mevlut Erdinc back in Newcastle United's sights - NUFC News - NUFC - JournalLive
Although it was widely reported at the time Erdinç had turned down Newcastle, The Journal understands it was a breakdown in negotiations between the player’s representatives and United which scuppered their chances of brokering a transfer before August 31. United’s priority remains landing a centre-half in the transfer window but, despite Alan Pardew publicly closing the door on bringing in a striker back in December, the club are keeping their options open.
So the player really didn't refuse to come to Newcastle after terms were agreed? And some rubish was spouted out after the move broke down? Huh.
Jason Prior impresses on trial for Newcastle United - NUFC News - NUFC - JournalLive
The Journal understands Prior has been impressive in training and there have been encouraging noises from United’s top brass about handing him a chance to leap seven rungs up the football pyramid from Ryman South club Bognor Regis. United are due to make a decision before the end of the week but a short-term deal with Bognor Regis could be worked out – with 23-year-old Prior seen as a raw talent and drafted into Willie Donachie’s reserves.
Alan Pardew was on hand to observe this Reserve match, and Jason Prior took some measure of advantage. From what I've read, he didn't see a lot of the ball, but did get some chances when he did... a couple of headers in the first half (one over, one at the GK) and then a couple chances on the floor in the second (one after being played through by Haris Vuckic which he rolled wide and then the other that he buried in the upper 90). I'm not sure where Jason fits in as a 22 (or 23... seen both reported) year old if he's adjudged to only be reserves quality... but the club have been pretty tight-lipped about the whole thing, so who knows where he's at.
Palace Cup run hits NUFC's Wilfried Zaha bid - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive
NEWCASTLE UNITED are still very much on the trail of Crystal Palace starlet Wilfried Zaha. However, they may have to wait until the Eagles’ Carling Cup exploits are over until they land their man – meaning a summer move could be on the cards. Talk that Newcastle are back in for Paris St Germain’s Turkey international Mevlut Erding is accurate after a flying visit to Paris by Toon officials But the January move for the 24-year-old is just one of several deals Newcastle are looking into. United ran the rule over Zaha again last night with the winger-cum-striker in action against Cardiff City in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final.
Here and I thought that we were out of the running for Zaha. I suppose once you're linked with a player, alleged interest can always be revived.
The Chronicle understands that a potential return to Tyneside for £35million Carroll would have to fit within the club's transfer blueprint meaning both a major drop down in transfer fee while the one time Academy striker would have to settle for a sizeable reduction in his £85,000 per week wage packet. Carroll's relationship with Newcastle officials has never soured since he quit United 12 months ago. And the player has even been a guest at the club for home games in executive boxes since being a Liverpool player.
... umm... This won't happen.
Newcastle lining up bid for Blackburn's Hoilett - ESPN Soccernet
A source told ESPNsoccernet: "Newcastle might be the club who make a move for Hoilett, that is the buzz around Blackburn at the moment." Such is Blackburn's financial plight that the club need to sell before attempting to add to their squad, and an asking price of �7 million for Hoilett could pave the way for additions
We were linked with Hoilett quite a long time ago, and he was another player that I had thought we were cooled on. Shows what I know. Hoilett was quite a hot commodity early in the season, but for whatever reason a lot of the heavy hitters seemed to drop off the trail. Not sure what to make of this one.
Newcastle Transfer Rumour: Midfield Prodigy Set For Trial
And L'Equipe claims that sources at Lens have revealed that Omrani is interested in making a move to Newcastle, and is currently getting ready to undertake a trial with the club. Omrani completed a trial with Bayern Munich in August, but was unable to agree to a deal with the German side, leaving him open to talks this month. His contract with Lens runs out in 2013, meaning that Newcastle could well get the youngster on board permanently this year if Lens hope to profit from his transfer.
Interestingly, todays links all mostly involve midfielders and strikers... while we're still in desperate need of a centre-half. So there's that. Granted, the last few days have seen a couple of CBs linked... but it just goes to show that words in January mean nothing.
James wings out of Hillsborough - Sheffield Wednesday - The Star
GARY Megson has welcomed the signing of Miguel Llera - but the Owls boss is looking for another right winger because Newcastle have refused to renew James Tavernier’s loan. Tavernier’s stay ended on Monday after he had been playing well on the right wing. But Newcastle manager Alan Pardew would prefer Tavernier to improve his experience at right-back - the position for which he was initially signed by the Owls. Megson said: “Newcastle won’t allow the loan to be extended. I spoke to Alan Pardew. We’ve been playing James at outside right but they don’t want him to play in the position. “I can’t guarantee he’ll play at right-back, because we’ve got Jon Otsemobor back and Lewis Buxton getting closer to full fitness. We’re looking for someone who can play outside right; we’ve tried for another player on loan, but the club aren’t keen to let him out yet.”
Tavernier comes back to Tyneside because Wednesday could not guarantee to play him where we wanted him played which is apparently at right back. Conspiracy theorists will draw the line between this information and the rumor that Fulham are in for Danny Simpson... but I don't think Simpson is leaving, so there.
Donachie delighted as reserves down Wigan - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive
WILLIE DONACHIE gave a resounding thumbs-up after watching his Newcastle United reserve team get 2012 off to the perfect start – but admitted the victory over Wigan Athletic had been a slow-burning affair. The Magpies took almost 45 minutes to get into the swing of things against Wigan Athletic, but goals from Remie Streete, Brad Inman and striker Jason Prior – on trial from Bognor Regis – sealed a 3-1 win.
I'm not going to lie to you... I dont remember why I clipped this.
Newcastle United Womens Football Club - Toon take 3 Points and go Top of the League
Newcastle United Women's Football Club 3 Huddersfield Town Ladies Football Club 0
If you're on the twitter, you've probably seen NUWFC out there stumping for themselves mightily. I've been in contact with officials at the club and we are looking at bringing NUWFC into the fold here at Coming Home Newcastle, so here's a little toe in the water.
And there you have it. Another day down, 20 to go!