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It's been almost completely silent surrounding Newcastle United on Transfer Deadline Day (save for a dubious rumor about interest in Watford goalkeeper Jonathon Bond and an "exclusive" from SportsDirectNews saying Manchester United will make a last minute bid for Yohan Cabaye), and so when David Craig made his first live appearance from Darsley Park, his announcement of non-news was the big news.
YOHAN CABAYE WILL NOT BE SOLD he announced, following with the caveat that no new offer has been received for Cabaye, who has painted himself into a bit of a corner with his purported refusal to play for Newcastle in order to force a move away from St. James' Park. The move did not sit well with France international manager Didier Deschamps who publicly stated that players who were not playing for their club sides would be in danger of losing their spots in the France squad and followed that up with the omission of players who were sitting out attempting to force moves in his latest squad. This may have had an effect as well:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I'm told Mike Ashley let Cabaye listen to phone negotiations last week + he heard Arsenal say: "25 million a lot for a reserve" <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23moodchanger&src=hash">#moodchanger</a></p>— James Pearce (@Pearcesport) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pearcesport/statuses/374489590213914624">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Sky's definitive statement at this point will set off unsettling feelings for Newcastle fans as we've sen this kind of situation before - you may remember Andy Carroll's last minute sale in the January window not so long ago - and so a great many will be considering Cabaye's situation anything but resolved. As club after club looks ready to tie up deals for other perhaps more highly rated midfielders, the pool of potential clubs who would be looking to grab Cabaye seems to shrink... but keep your eyes open because Newcastle United.