Baggio

I didn't realise Liverpool's operating loss was that much, when you think of the shite they signed to have a loss like that then it was a great effort by King Kenny

They offered him a new contract but he turned it down, same reason as Guthrie did here.

Bernard thinks he could become as good as Cabaye given time, also says he has quality but is very raw. http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2012/05/24/romain-amalfitano-tipped-to-be-big-hit-at-newcastle-united-72703-31035219/

Thinking about it Kalou would offer us more going forward from the wide left position than Ba so if he does activate his clause then it could be an option for a replacement, then using some of the money for Ba to buy a young back up to Cisse.

Looks like a young Yossi Benayoun, similar build too.

It's not as if we are trying to buy him from them and expecting him to take a cut on his guaranteed wage. He must surely know he will struggle to get that wage somewhere else, maybe one of the Italian clubs if he's lucky.

Harsh that, even if he is a twat.

ONE-TIME Newcastle United target Tranquillo Barnetta is quitting German side Bayer Leverkusen. The 27-year-old has broken off negotiations over a new contract and will leave the Bundesliga club as a free agent this summer. “Tranquillo has turned down our offer and he will leave us on June 30,” said Bayer’s general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser on his club’s website. “This is very regrettable because we wanted to extend his contract, but we could not reach an agreement financially.” A serious knee injury has kept the former Hannover midfielder on the sidelines for much of the last campaign, but he was a regular in the previous five seasons in which he made a total of 183 Bundesliga appearances. It is not clear whether the 59-times Switzerland international has found a new club, though Newcastle were heavily linked with the right-sided player last summer, before signing Gabriel Obertan. Hatem Ben Arfa’s emergence on the right side of midfield, along with Obertan, Sylvain Marveaux and Sammy Ameobi’s ability to play there, means United are well-stocked in that position, but Barnetta’s availability on a free transfer could revive their interest. Barnetta joined Leverkusen in 2004, and sprang to prominence when scoring two free-kicks in a Euro 2012 qualifier against England at Wembley last year. http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-target-barnetta-to-quit-bayer-leverkusen-1-4574609

I think the scouting is that advanced of young players in this country that you don't really see many players in their 20's make the jump up to the top level which is why I think people are sceptical when it happens in other leagues. I have no idea how good the scouting of lower French league teams is however we were linked with Benjamin Corgnet in January, a player that was playing in the French 5th division until he was 23 so some do seem to get overlooked. If he doesn't work out then he hasn't cost the club much so it's a low risk gamble on our part, like Bassong.

It's the best time for Drogba to go tbh. He's not the player he was but their fans opinion of him is higher than ever, he would be better leaving on a high rather than staying too long.

Adebayor confirms he's in talks with Spurs about making his loan move permanent.

If my memory is correct Mulumbu has said in a french interview a few years back that we were interested in him then too. He's a good player, as is N'Zonzi at Blackburn if we are looking for that type of player.

Linked with Clyne from Palace too.

Pardew confirmed Guthrie was off in his radio interview. Said he wanted to leave for more playing time.

The press are linking them with Solskjaer now.

The Telegraph say we are lining up Luuk De Jong if Ba activates his get out clause.

What's their fans obsession with getting Benitez back?

From RAWK... Something's seriously wrong if anyone finds it in themselves to speculate about the next manager so soon after this. Christ.

That guy from work I was saying about yesterday, well his son is still alive but has some serious leg injuries although they have said he will make a full recovery in time. The armoured personnel carrier he was driving hit a roadside bomb.

Same shit, different manager.

Congratulations.

Quality post that, Chez.

My friend from work has just received a phone call from the army saying his son has been involved in a serious incident in Afghanistan. Gutted for him

Tevez has been caught waving an RIP FERGIE sign around when City are showing off the trophy http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18067191

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/08/07/former-newcastle-chairman-says-barton-stay-is-vital-for-club-102039-23325046/