Taylor is currently out with a shoulder injury but this news comes as a little bit of a surprise knowing that the player has always been loyal to the club. I guess he just priced himself out.

It will be interesting to see if he’ll end up at a different club in the few days but until then he’ll be a free agent by summer 2011.

UPDATE:

A statement from his agent reads:
“Figures released to the media do not accurately reflect the position of either Steven or his agent.

“Both (Taylor and the club) remain happy to continue negotiations over a new and extended Newcastle United contract.

“Steven was disappointed and surprised to hear through third parties that the club had decided to transfer list him.

“He has always given 100% to the club and will continue to do so given the opportunity.”

For example, I can spotlight three ex-Newcastle United players over the past week: Shay Given, Craig Bellamy and now Charles N’Zogbia. Starting with Shay; he joined Man City with winning trophies in mind. On paper, Man City look promising however, the performance of Joe Hart and Shay being placed on the bench doesn’t bode well for him keeping his #1 shirt. He even said in a thinly veiled threat to leave the club if he was on the subs bench on Saturday. Well, he was and Joe Hart practically kept Man City in the match. His future is somewhat cloudly but he may yet go to Arsenal (or Liverpool, who probably need a good goalie right now). His colleague, Craig Bellamy took a leaf from Shay’s book and basically expressed similar sentiments: he didn’t even make it on the subs bench. News today say that player is black listed and seems to have played his last game. Rumours suggest he may join us but would we want him there knowing that he’s neither reformed character or no restraint. Lastly, N’Zogbia who bailed out on his team at the last minute and probably contributed to the highly disorganised display of the Wigan side against Blackpool. Apparently, he wants out.

Do players need to get some perspective here from their lives of high pay and fast cars? If speculation is true, should we be condoning the actions of Hatem Ben Afra? What does his actions say about his character if we take him on?

“There isn’t anything. We are aware of the speculation and that he has been linked to us but he is very much a Marseille player. There hasn’t been any direct contact.”

I’m not sure why rumours weren’t stumped out earlier. This transfer story seems like its been around for months now.

Speaking at Sky News, Hughton added:

“We have said all along that we need to boost the squad but it is difficult,” he added.

“It’s not only us that have found it difficult, it’s finding the right players and the right values.

“We know how difficult this league will be and we need to be ready for it.”

Well, there you have it, Arfa is not coming to Newcastle.

However, conflicting messages from Marseille aren’t helping with club president Jean-Claude Dassier, saying talks are still ongoing. We hope that the deal will be signed off soon so we can get this promising player into the squad. However, on the downside, he does have a fiery temperament which has landed him in several disputes with the current manager at Marseille. But Hughton has to deal with two temperamental players already and fans will hope Hughton can bring out the best of this emerging talent whenever Arfa kick starts his Newcastle career.

Other news elsewhere suggest Nile Ranger maybe put on loan. Often used as a sub, the forward scored four times last season. He looks likely to head off to the other newly promoted club, Blackpool.

UPDATE: Afraid it ain’t happening

Yesterday, Sol Campbell joined our ranks and his signing was made even more important for us with this news of Taylor’s setback

Elsewhere, Tim Krul has pledged another  four years of service to Newcastle. Steve Harper continues to provide solid service between the sticks but Krul has been something special as well for making some superb quick reactionary saves for the team.

There’s quite an interesting article here
about Newcastle’s chances and this article summises that we are well positioned to finish in the top half this season. Personally, I think this season will be tough and with the unwelcomed dark cloud of injuries again hanging over the team, it could be tougher. Hughton is right to strengthen the side with what transfer kitty was given to him and if Newcastle finish in the top 10, I’d be delighted.

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The ex- England and Arsenal player brings a huge stockpile of experience with him and it’ll be great for younger players to learn from him. The player said:

“At this stage of my career I couldn’t have wished for a better move

To join a club such as Newcastle United, with its proud tradition, heritage and magnificent support is absolutely tremendous for me.”

There is also some history between Hughton and Campbell who both worked together at Tottenham. Another benefit by bringing in the player I think.

Hughton spoke of the signing:

“I have known Sol since he was a lad at Tottenham and am fully aware of what he has to offer. That is experience, quality, calm assurance and leadership. He’s a dedicated professional, a terrific addition to the squad and I look forward to working with him again.”

Suggestions that the newly wed player’s wife applied pressure on Campbell to join Newcastle Utd may continue but I’m happy that Hughton has managed to sign him regardless.

The player will start life in Newcastle wearing the Number 5 shirt. Campbell’s contract is for a year.

Best of luck to him

I’ll be posting on and off over the summer regarding transfer news.  Enjoy the World Cup and good luck to England.

The first thing that comes under attention is the transfer market. Chances are Hughton would be happy with the current team set up and no changes will be soon. There’s still a question mark hanging over Steven Taylor who is yet to sign a new contract and the incident with Carroll didn’t exactly help matters there. Hughton insists no problems are there but we shall see what happens in the coming months.

A few names have sprung up already who are rumoured to interest Hughton. From the relegated teams, Hull’s Jimmy Bullard was mentioned as early as last month. However, his injury record may concern some. Another new face quite possibly could be could be Ivan Klamsic, a striker currently with Nantes. Difficult to say as we already have a decent set of strikers – would we need anymore?

A few loan signings won’t be making another appearance in a black n white shirt. Fabrice Pancrate failed to secure a full term contract  Fritz Hall’s situation is different as he was handy back up to Steven Taylor. Whether he’s done enough has yet to be decided.

Personally, I don’t believe that a major overhaul will happen this Summer.  Perhaps the odd player here and there. Come January 2011, that maybe a completely different matter!

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Well, I’m so glad that they have such a finger on the pulse for our dear club. I guess not content that we are practically breezing through and winning matches, they have to make negative claims with no foundation. Yes, there will be player in and out over the summer for whatever reason but Ashley will be breathing a massive sigh of relief that Newcastle are back in the Premiership – hell, he may even raise wages to keep players so we stay in the Prem for years to come! Also, reports that we still feature in the top 20 most financially positioned clubs in the world surely means something about what we can and can’t do.

Leon Best has already bagged 10 goals this season and is another 6ft giant entering the squad in this transfer window. His career is still relatively young after starting out at Notts County in 2002. After that he’s featured at teams such as Southampton, QPR and played for 2 years at Conventry until now.

We’ll be bidding farewells to Geremi. He’s taken up a post at Turkish side Ankaragucu on an 18-month deal. Some may argue that Geremi going to a country called Turkey is quite fitting for the player.