Newcastle United Blog » 2007 Transfer News

Nolberto Solano Joins West Ham. Faye and Beye In

Dave NU Blogger — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:53:28 +0000

Abdloulaye Faye made the move from Bolton to Newcastle before the close of the deadline. The 29 year old Senegal defender coming in paved the way for Solano to ship out to West Ham. Solano’s move looked in danger of falling through but Kieron Dyer’s unfortunate injury sustained against Bristol Rovers mid week meant that Curbishley’s need for midfield cover was more pressing. Solano’s move to West Ham spells the end of his great career with the Mags. He managed to score 48 goals and became a firm fan favourite throughout much of his time at Newcastle.

Also managing to sign up is Habib Beye. Another Senegal born player who captained Marseille at Right-back before his switch tonight.

Meanwhile, Paul Huntington, who featured last season 11 times in the senior squad parted company with us to join Denis Wise’s League One strugglers, Leeds United.

So, Allardyce has secured two defenders before the close of the transfer window. This whirlwind transfer session began with a need to cover for two injuried defenders from our clash with Boro. Certainly impressive stuff and we’ll hopefully see our two signings in action soon.

Habib Beye Sets Sights On Toon Move

Dave NU Blogger — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:32:11 +0000

As the game with Barnsley went on at St James’ Park. News broke that Habib Beye, a right back who plays for Marseille, has had a deal secured to join the Mags. Sam Allardyce has been busy since Sunday to try and secure the services of two defenders. As we have heard Nobby Solano featured in tonight’s Barnsley match to cover our weakened defence and did remarkably well as he did during much of Glen Roeder’s tenureship. However, Solano’s future is still pretty much up in the air (West Ham have lost Dyer for the rest of the season probably and are looking for a midfielder).

Marseille chairman, Pape Diouf announced:

“We are looking to reach an agreement between the two clubs,” said Diouf.

“Something should be done within the next 24 hours, it should definitely be done.”

“Habib has been with us for four years, he had said he wanted to leave – but he remained with us,” he continued.

“However, he has now chosen to accept the offer of Newcastle – once it was put to him.”

Allardyce is still looking to secure Bolton’s Abdoulaye Faye and I wouldn’t be surprised if we push on further for defender, Glen Johnson from Chelsea. Exciting times for us before the close of the transfer window.

Allardyce On for Faye?

Dave NU Blogger — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:08:42 +0000

The two injuries yesterday has caused Big Sam Allardyce to spring into action in the final four days of the summer transfer windows. Stephen Carr was taken off early in the derby match with a hamstring problem, only to see his substitute replacement, Peter Ramage, damage his knee ligaments in an awkward landing.

Sources now say the much delayed on-off move for midfielder, Abdoulaye Faye, is back on and a deal has been agreed. Faye has been missing in action on the past Trotter matches fuelling speculation that a move is imminent. Sam bought Faye into the Bolton side when he was manager there and his interest in the player now certainly means Big Sam is an admirer without a doubt. But defence is the immediate worry and it’ll be interesting to see what Allardyce and the board plan until the transfer window shuts on Friday. If not, would it be possible to nudge out-of-favour player, Nolberto Solano back in the squad?

Ashley! Martins! Newcastle United! News Speculation Overdrive!

Dave NU Blogger — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 22:55:24 +0000

The tabloids had a field day with Newcastle United. The News of the World today resurrected the old Martins-to-Arsenal story today. Martins is already in talks about altering/extending his contract at Newcastle and openly pledged his alligence to the black n’ white shirt. Although he was none too happy about being replaced by Owen after 70 minutes, it proved the right choice at the time when Viduka scored that amazing goal at the 77th minute. Martins has already been linked with a move to Manchester United but Ferguson has at least managed to steady the ship with a 1 goal win over Tottenham today. They still look shaky but rumour has it Rooney will be well on the road to recovery in three weeks so that oddball Glazer, can refrain from opening the wallet before then.

Elsewhere, the Sunday Sun made an extraordinary claim that Mike Ashley has named a price for the club at £225m! Worryingly, it would add fuel to speculation that some form of consortium (either from China or Iceland) has indeed approached the club owners recently. A first that happened today was the appearance of our new owner with black n’ white shirt seated at the Riverside Stadium along with Chairman, Chris Mort. Ashley is renowned for his reclusive nature so was this an effort on him to show fans just how devoted he is to the club? That’s fine by me but there’s no need to wear it on your sleeve, Mr Ashley, or your shirt for that matter.

Mike Ashley appears in all his glory here

Goodbye Newcastle, Hello Ajax for Albert Luque

Dave NU Blogger — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:49:01 +0000

In 2005, Graeme Souness, invested roughly £9m for Luque. What he bought was a player who has had an extremely rough time at the club but not without a few highlights. Three managers have tried to fit the player into the first team with varying results. Today, Luque leaves behind Newcastle to join up with Ajax on a projected three year deal.

Highlights for the player include the match at the Staduim of Light in 2006. It was an excellent run through defence and the finishing was superb to beat Sunderland 4-1. Luque also had a hand in Shearer’s momentous scoring record at the club as well. It is an end of a frustrating time for the player and hopefully he’ll make his mark at his new club.

The Lure of the Mackems – Chopra and now Cole

Dave NU Blogger — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 12:39:45 +0000

First, Michael Chopra signed up and now Andy Cole joins in to become a Mackem. Those fans of Sunderland must be thinking that North-East rivalries have no meaning when it comes to offering regular football. When Roy Keane’s not content with having a go at wives and girlfriends, he’s signing up ex-Toon boys into his squad instead.

Ex-Toon hero, Andy Cole is serving his twlight years as a football player and has heard the calling of his old Man U team mate. It will set up an even more bitter return for the player the next time he pokes his face about St James’ Park. At least he hasn’t told us Alan Shearer had something to do with it! Andy Cole is no stranger to batting for the other side as he has been a Man. City player as well. You got to hand it to him, he is consistent there.

Let’s make sure both Chopra and Cole get the welcome they deserve: at : St James’:)

Martins Offer Expected

Dave NU Blogger — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:33:19 +0000

As I suspected last week, the injury crisis and poor opening run for Manchester United could mean a bid for Obafemi martins looking more likely by the day. The Sun newspaper ran a story yesterday proclaiming this. However, some fans are ready to dismiss such a story because of martins open commitment to the Toon Cause. But as you all know, Football is a fickle place and regrettably money does the talking most of the time. Some Manc fans say Fergie made an error of judgement selling Alan Smith to us leaving his forward line weakened but I think we would be making an equally big mistake (if not, bigger) if Newcastle let Martins go to Old Trafford. It will have shades of when we sold Andy Cole to the Man U.

I hope that Newcastle see sense with Owen still being rusty and , hate to say it, quite injury prone. Martins is a quality finisher as we have all witnessed in the past. To lose Martins now when we very much fighting for a place in Europe and domestic silverware, will be bad for us in so many ways. It will demoralise the team and make us fans sceptical about the Board’s intentions. Newcastle are currently re-negiotiating elements of Martins’ contract and fingers crossed, we’ll see our #9 player stay put.

UPDATE: Sam Allardyce has just told the NUFC official website that no offers for Martins have been received as yet and expects the martins to remain a Toon player. Follow the link here for more info.

Kieron Dyer finally joins West Ham

Dave NU Blogger — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:14:27 +0000

Newcastle have finally off-loaded Kieron Dyer in a deal reportedly worth around £6. After an initial deal turned sour and created a lot of bad blood between us and West Ham, Dyer must be relieved to finally move down South to solve some personal issues.

The deal originally was pulled at the last minute by the Newcastle board but the circumstances to why that happened remain a mystery. Some say Dyer failed a medical whilst others alledge West Ham made inappropriate comments during negiotiations. Whatever the reason, I’m glad Dyer’s future has now been decided and we can concentrate on getting a midfielder who would actually like to play for us.

Could Martins Switch to Man Utd?

Dave NU Blogger — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 21:42:01 +0000

With a draw against Reading today, Manchester United not only failed to muster that essential first day win but also lost there most prolific striker, Wayne Rooney through a hair line fracture in his left foot. Rooney will probably be sidelined for weeks and with the transfer window still open could Oba Femi Martins’ clause be triggered by Mr Ferguson? Both Tevez and Saha sidelined because of lack of match fitness leaving Fergie a selection headache. Only time will tell but with Martin’s terrific display against Bolton yesterday, I’ll be hoping that our #9 stays put.

Dyer and Luque finally get their coats?? Nobby on BOGOF offer shocker!

Dave NU Blogger — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 08:22:43 +0000

Rumours are bound that the shelved Kieron Dyer move to West Ham may finally happen. The likely scenario would be that some kind of compromise deal would be on the table. The whole episode has been shambolic to say the least with ol’ egghead himself even getting stuck in the war of words. Let’s hope for Dyer’s sake the deal goes well as I don’t want some half-assed player knocking about the ball in a black n’ white shirt.

Luque’s troubled career at Newcastle seems to be coming to a end. He hasn’t done too badly of late. With two goals being scored pre-season, he’s showing some promise in Allardyce’s new look first team. However, a possible move to a Spanish club has been talked about recently and it will be only a matter of time really before he is gone.

Nobby Solano hasn’t been a player ever to keep quiet. Now it looks like our Perivian friend wants out. What brought on the sudden change of mind is said to involve an ex-partner and family and icNewcastle (The Chronicle) reports that possible way to offload the unhappy player would be to offer a buy-one-get-one -free to West Ham. Charming.