Do you know that since August 31st, 2007 the press have written no less than 40 players who are being linked to a move from their club to Newcastle United, but so few of them are finally put pen on the paper.
Below are some of the lists of the players who are in the media rumours and who is finally signed for Toon:
Alan Hutton
First came up into the tabloid in Oct 27th, 2007 with the Sun reporting we are chasing the Rangers and Scotland full-back. The Daily Mail later reporting the 23 years-old player back in November. The latest rumour was in January 4th where the Times also write about £8m move for Alan Hutton to Newcastle.
Sol Campbell
The Daily Star write in January 21st 2008 about Kevin Keegan turning his target to the Pompey’s dinosaur defender after failing to hijack Micah Richards from Manchester City.
Wes Brown
First came up from the unbelievable Daily Mirror in December, Newcastle and Sunderland are battling to get Manchester United Wes Brown? Give me a break!
Jussi Jasskelainen
Both the Sun and Daily Mail said his agent has confirmed Jussi is not going to sign a new contract at Bolton and wants to join old boss Sam Allardyce at Newcastle. This will not going to happen anymore as Big Sam now is not in charge anymore and I don’t see King Kev will have the same interest.
Andrey Arshavin
With ‘only’ £8 millions fee I would love it, LOVE IT to have the Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin who is currently playing for Zenit St Petersburg.
Peter crOUCH!
News of the World said in their report in October that Sam Allardyce would love it if he can get Liverpool’s forgotten man on his squad. Ouch!
Lance Davids
Djurgardens utility player Lance Davids are being reported become the target of Big Sam, with Mark Hughes was also keen to signed him. I don’t think this could be true now.
Michael Carrick, Dean Ashton
Do I have to make any comment on these players? They are the most out of reach as I don’t think their manager would let them go at any price at the moment.
Now look at the rests of other rumours: Emile Heskey, Edmilson Gomes, Oscar Cardozo, Juan Roman Riquelme, Tal Ben Haim, Jonas Olsson, Bruno Alves, Luis Garcia Fernandez, David Stockdale, Jonathan Walters, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Benni McCarthy, Wayne Bridge, Shawn Wright-Phillips, Pascal Chimbonda, Tamas Kadar, Ben Tozer, David Albelada, Kevin Nolan, Pedro Geromel, Jermain Defoe, Daniel Van Buyten, Deco, Scott Brown, Carlos Cuellar, Dimitar Berbatov, Micah Richards, David Beckham, John Arne Riise, Goran Pandev, Luka Modric.
From all the names above, I only rated highly if King Kev can get the likes of Deco, Daniel Van Buyten, Dimitar Berbatov, Goran Pandev and the Croatian rising star Luca Modric, although the latest name is like a day dreaming to me.
From all those names we only succeed to sign Tamas Kadar and Ben Tozer, who I believe will need long time before we see them breaks into the first team squad under King Kev.
Howay King Kev! It’s only about a week left now, when you will announce those three new players?