Newcastle’s £6m offer for Smith holds the key to Dyer departure

[Jimbo 175]

Sam Allardyce has expressed growing frustration at the dearth of transfer activity at St James’ Park, but the logjam may have been broken by Manchester United’s acceptance of a £6 million bid for Alan Smith. If Newcastle United’s pursuit of the England player is fruitful, it should finally prompt the departure of Kieron Dyer, whose position on Tyneside is close to untenable.

 

Allardyce yesterday held discussions with Chris Mort, his new chairman, to clear the air on various issues, not least his disquiet at the paucity of his first-team squad. Signing defenders is a priority – he wants Boukary Dramé, Paris Saint-Germain’s 22-year-old Senegal international, to fill the problematic left-back role and also needs at least one experienced centre half – but his move for Smith points to renewed activity.

 

Newcastle have matched Middlesbrough’s offer for the striker, although they still face competition from Manchester City and, more significantly, Everton, whose pursuit is dependent on James Beattie joining Sheffield United. With Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins, Mark Viduka, Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll on the club’s books, Allardyce already enjoys a surfeit of forwards.

 

Yet Smith’s versatility allowed him briefly to be reinvented as a midfield player at Old Trafford and if Dyer is sold, Newcastle’s options there would be weakened. The latter has informed Allardyce that he wishes to leave Newcastle for “family reasons” – his partner and children live in Ipswich – and after Sunday’s substitute appearance in the 2-0 victory over Juventus, he was abused by a number of supporters.

 

As Dyer left the stadium, a group of youngsters converged on his car, beat their hands on the windows and told him to “f*** off down to London”. While the incident involved a small vocal presence, it left the 28-year-old shaken; along with the player himself, many fans have accepted that his long, fraught spell on Tyneside has drawn to a natural conclusion.

 

Tottenham Hotspur and City have an interest in Dyer, but Upton Park remains his most likely destination. Unperturbed by the prospect of paying high wages – Dyer earns in excess of £80,000 a week – the East London club are confessed admirers, which they have now converted into firm contact. At present, however, stalemate rules and it may do so until Smith’s future is resolved.

 

Whether they have submitted a written offer is unclear, but West Ham have informed Newcastle that they are prepared to pay as much as £5.5 million for Dyer, with an additional £1.5 million based on appearances and if Alan Curbishley’s side qualify for Europe. In spite of Dyer’s long history of injury and illness, this is yet to meet with Newcastle’s approval.

 

Time is pressing, however, and Allardyce has expressed anxiety with the slow pace of change after Mike Ashley’s £133 million takeover. The talks between Allardyce and Mort were designed to expedite matters, as well as clarify recent reports that Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer would be invited to renew their ties with Newcastle. Neither prospect is acceptable to Allardyce, although Shearer already fulfils an ambassadorial role for the club.

 

If his threadbare squad is causing concern, Allardyce is ecstatic with the impact made by James Milner, who almost joined Aston Villa a year ago. “I think he’s one of the best young wingers in the Premiership,” Allardyce said. “Steve McClaren [the England head coach] has been looking for a replacement down the left side, where England appear to have been short, and if James continues to progress, he could be very useful.”

[ewerk 30611]

So we'd be paying the same money for Smith as we're getting for Dyer? No thanks, Dyer is a much better player and on the basis of last season he could've hopefully put his injury problems behind him. It's funny how these 'family problems' have only come to light at the end of July, surely he would've been better coming out with this before the wondow opened.

[Chaser 1207]

2 totally different players providing different options. Ive never been a fan of Dyer the man, however as a player I like his pace and his ability to change the face of play with his pace. In the last year, he appears to be more relaxed in front of goal also.

 

Alan Smith on the other hand - I'm a fan of the man (although I was disappointed when his showed his disloyalty by leaving his boyhood club to join their biggest rivals) however think that his game has suffered since he went to Old Trafford. For me, Smith is all about passion and the battle in the game, much like Barton however he doesnt score enough goals to be a centre forward and for me doesnt look good enough at Centre Mid. Has only once got into double figures (at Leeds) in the Prem which is a feat even Shola has surpassed.

 

For me, if we're selling Dyer, we should be getting a player like Gamst Pedersen. It seems that just because we're running out of time, we now start to be hitting the button a bit and looking at transfers which we werent considering a month ago.

[Offshore Toon 0]

Smith just seems to be angry all the time. That's the only aspect he has to his game.

[tinofbeans 91]

don't rate smith at all.

[Geordie Boyo 24]

ffs

[Scottish Mag 3]

Alan Smith looks set to complete a move to Newcastle

 

Alan Smith is set to join Newcastle after Manchester United accepted a £6m offer for the striker.

 

The 26-year-old was due to hold talks on Tuesday with Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce over personal terms, with the transfer expected to go through this week.

 

Smith was also subject of a bid from Middlesbrough, who wanted him to replace Mark Viduka, but the former Leeds striker was not keen on a move to the Riverside.

 

Smith now seems certain to leave United, who joined United for £7m just three years ago.

 

http://www.lep.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?sect...ticleid=3071848

[Gemmill 44885]

"Smith now seems certain to leave United, who joined United for £7m just three years ago."

 

That is some top class journalism there.

[Guest alex]

It reads like something out of The Nigerian Sun.

[Scottish Mag 3]

It reads like something out of The Nigerian Sun.

 

[NJS 4386]

As I've said before I've always liked Smith and would be happy if he signed.

 

One thing I thought from Sunday was that imo we already have a player who can fill the Dyer role - N'Zogbia.

[Scottish Mag 3]

United have rejected a £5m offer from West Ham for Kieron Dyer, but he seems unhappier than ever at St James’s Park after his car and home came under attack from disgruntled fans.

 

Dyer was booed by sections of Newcastle’s crowd during the 2-0 victory over Juventus despite the fact his performance was praised by manager Sam Allardyce – who is believed to have had a £6m offer for Manchester United’s Alan Smith accepted last night.

 

But worse was to follow for the England international when he left the ground, as fans screamed abuse and then surrounded his car, banging on the windows, as he tried to drive away from the stadium. The Journal also understands that Dyer’s home near Ponteland has had eggs thrown at its windows since it emerged the 28-year-old is keen to leave the North-East so he can move closer to his young family in Ipswich.

 

The news of the campaign against Dyer has not been greeted well inside St James’s Park and there is concern that the actions of a few mindless yobs will hinder the club’s attempts to attract players in the future. Chairman Chris Mort said: “It’s well known there has been interest in Kieron from several clubs and that he might want to move on for family reasons. However, he remains an important part of the squad and is working hard for the team as he showed with his performance on Sunday.

 

“We have got to make all our current players and potential new signings see Newcastle as a great place to live and it would be disastrous for the club for this sort of behaviour to be repeated.”

 

Dyer was arguably Newcastle’s best player when he came on as a second-half substitute against Juventus and he has privately revealed a determination not to allow his critics to break his spirit. In fact, the abuse directed at him on Sunday appeared to motivate him, rather than dishearten, as he guided a young side through the final 45 minutes of the friendly.

 

However, the abuse would appear to make the possibility that the midfielder can be persuaded to stay at the club even more remote, despite the fact United and West Ham have seemingly reached deadlock in their negotiations.

 

The Hammers made a final bid last week, which is believed to include a further payment once Dyer has played 50 games for the east London club as well as another add-on if the Hammers qualify for Europe. That offer, though, was turned down by the Magpies and Allardyce revealed on Sunday that nobody had made a bid that is “anywhere near the sort of money” he is looking for.

 

Whether the bid for Smith suggests that has now changed remains to be seen. Although primarily a striker, the former Leeds player has been used as a midfielder at Old Trafford.

 

If Dyer’s move to West Ham does collapse it would leave Allardyce in a tricky situation as he will have an unhappy player in his squad who sections of the club’s supporters cannot wait to see leave. There is the chance Dyer could go out on loan, but Newcastle are unlikely to be happy with that option because his market value will fall as he only has two years left on his contract.

 

Allardyce will invest whatever money he receives for Dyer immediately in a replacement and it could be that Smith has been lined up for that purpose, although they face competition from Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

 

Allardyce held a meeting with Chris Mort yesterday to discuss what the club are going to do next in the transfer market as there have not been any new arrivals since Geremi signed on a free transfer last month. Newcastle desperately need to sign three more defenders before the close of the transfer window at the end of August, as well as a replacement for Dyer, and that will not be cheap. However, Allardyce has actually spent less than £3m since he became United manager as he also raised £7m from the sale of Scott Parker to West Ham.

 

He is interested in Paris Saint Germain’s Senegal international left-back Boukary Drame, but faces competition from Sochaux.

 

There will be support for the manager from fans who want to see money invested in new players after the initial excitement which greeted the removal of Freddie Shepherd begins to fade.

[Guest alex]

I think it's probably a canny swap actually - Smith for Dyer. Obviously the changes in personnel shouldn't end there.

[ewerk 30611]

I think it's probably a canny swap actually - Smith for Dyer.

 

Why exactly?

[JawD 99]

Firstly, I think its disgusting the treatment Dyer is getting from some "fans", assuming its true, having his house and car assaulted? For what? Some people seriously need put down.

 

As for moving him on to get Smith. It raises more concerns over our available funds. Fair enough get rid of him, and while I like Smith Im not sure where he fits in.

[Guest alex]

I think it's probably a canny swap actually - Smith for Dyer.

 

Why exactly?

I've had a think about it. I think Smith is committed, he's a good player too. He needs a new club (as does Dyer) and Ithink he can do well upfront when needed and in an attacking midfield role. Dyer wants out, gets stick off the fans etc., is injury prone. Essentially I think Smith can be a canny player for us whereas I don't think Dyer ever will be again.

[Gemmill 44885]

Dyer's got no future here, and who can blame him for wanting to leave - he gets booed when he plays, then when the boo boys get what they want and force him out, they egg his house and attack his car for admitting it. We have got some fucking arseholes following this club.

 

Like Alex, I think Smith would be a handy addition to the squad. I don't think he'll play every game or anything but he'll do a job when he does, and more importantly it's about time we had subs of that sort of quality sat on the bench. How long is it since we had a bench that wasn't just packed with last resorts? I mean fucking hell, who used to look at Sibierski standing on the touchline and think "Get in, he'll turn the game around."? I'll be a lot more confident in Smith making a difference to a game, that's for sure.

[Ally 0]

Why are people egging Dyer? If they don't like him (like me) they should be delighted he's off, not throwing eggs at him!

[Guest alex]

Why are people egging Dyer? If they don't like him (like me) they should be delighted he's off, not throwing eggs at him!

Charva scum.

[JawD 99]

Think he'll want to come and be a sub though when he can be that at Man U? Im wondering if Sam has other plans for him like getting him to start in midfield, but also give options up front wh needed. I suppose he would be a good foil for owen/martins in the absence of Viduka.

[Guest alex]

There'd be a bit of bite if it was him and Barton in the middle too I reckon And I'd much rather have him playing there than Emre who I don't rate at all.

[ewerk 30611]

Like Alex, I think Smith would be a handy addition to the squad. I don't think he'll play every game or anything but he'll do a job when he does, and more importantly it's about time we had subs of that sort of quality sat on the bench.

 

And there in lies the difference. A fully fit Dyer will be in the first team, the same can't be said for Smith IMO, I just think we're getting a lesser player for the same money.

[Guest alex]

Like Alex, I think Smith would be a handy addition to the squad. I don't think he'll play every game or anything but he'll do a job when he does, and more importantly it's about time we had subs of that sort of quality sat on the bench.

 

And there in lies the difference. A fully fit Dyer will be in the first team, the same can't be said for Smith IMO, I just think we're getting a lesser player for the same money.

I don't think a fully fit Dyer would neccessarily make the first team actually. More like Milner - Barton - Butt - N'Zogbia imo.

[Barney 0]

Why would Smith leave ManUtd, where he's a sub, to come to Newcastle as a sub?

[Renton 21627]

Dyer's got no future here, and who can blame him for wanting to leave - he gets booed when he plays, then when the boo boys get what they want and force him out, they egg his house and attack his car for admitting it. We have got some fucking arseholes following this club.

 

Like Alex, I think Smith would be a handy addition to the squad. I don't think he'll play every game or anything but he'll do a job when he does, and more importantly it's about time we had subs of that sort of quality sat on the bench. How long is it since we had a bench that wasn't just packed with last resorts? I mean fucking hell, who used to look at Sibierski standing on the touchline and think "Get in, he'll turn the game around."? I'll be a lot more confident in Smith making a difference to a game, that's for sure.

 

Dyer wanted to leave before the latest incidents though, in fact that's what's triggered them. People have a perception he has been taking the piss out of the club for years then pisses off when a better opportunity arises after a short period of relative success in his playing. I don't for one second condone these morons but it doesn't surprise me it is specifically Dyer that is the brunt of them.

 

Agreed that the lack of quality and depth in our squad is a major cause for concern and I'm getting less enthusiastic about the club by the day - again. Wtf are Mort and Ashley up to?