Keegan keen to recruit Giles Barnes Boussoufa

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Keegan keen to recruit Giles Barnes

 

Apr 15 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

Giles Barnes of Derby County during the Coca-Cola Championship match between Derby County and Sunderland

 

NEWCASTLE United will again target Giles Barnes as a key figure in the second half of Kevin Keegan’s two-pronged transfer policy.

 

The Magpies’ recent revival has been based around an experienced nucleus of Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Faye, Nicky Butt, Michael Owen and Mark Viduka. Conscious of the lack of depth in his squad, Keegan is keen to add proven players but the club is also wary of the need for youthful vibrancy, and hope Barnes can contribute to that.

 

Sam Allardyce signed nine players last summer, some of whom are just starting to bear fruit, and Keegan does not feel his squad needs major surgery to meet chairman Chris Mort’s demand that they compete for Uefa Cup qualification next term.

 

“I’ve said all along I would be looking for four or five players,” said Keegan. “That’s all we need, but those four or five will have to be top quality.

 

“That’s the priority in terms of strengthening, the very top end of the squad, but if we were able to do that, maybe we could also look at bringing a couple of youngsters in. It would be nice to balance our squad that way, and that’s the two different angles we’re going to be looking to address this summer.

 

“You’re not going to be looking at the massive turn-over the club saw last summer. It’s going to be a case of making a few quality signings and a couple of younger faces who are more for the future.” Keegan is pleased by the experience and leadership in the squad he inherited. “I’ve got about five leaders in my team – Nicky and Michael, Geremi’s fantastic, and Habib Beye and Faye,” he enthused.

 

“Viduka is quite experienced as well. So I’ve got a lot of good men who can lead the team.” Newcastle tried to sign 19-year-old Barnes in January but their valuation was way below Derby County’s. United will hope the Rams’ impending relegation allows them to negotiate a more realistic price for the attacking midfielder. Even when they turned down United’s offer, believed to be around £1.5m, Derby were planning to spend 2008-09 in the Championship.

 

They probably hoped Barnes would justify a reputation earned in the Football League, but he has failed to do so. In a season restricted to just 14 league starts by form and fitness, Barnes has not stood out, scoring just once in the league and once

 

in the FA Cup, against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

 

It has not deterred Newcastle, who stepped up their policy of bringing the best young talent to St James’s Park when Dennis Wise was appointed earlier this year.

 

Of Newcastle’s ambitions next season, Mort said: “There will be a lot of clubs, maybe 10, looking at the top six. The Champions League positions are more difficult but I would hope we’ll be at least aiming for a Uefa Cup slot.”

 

Meanwhile, two other clubs are hopeful of warding off Newcastle interest in their players with improved contracts.

 

Reports in Belgium suggest national team sponsors Kia are determined to keep Moroccan Mbark Boussoufa in the league. The 23-year-old ex-Chelsea striker is at Anderlecht, and the car manufacturers are eager to keep it that way.

 

“I know the size of contract Newcastle will offer Boussoufa,” claimed Kia’s managing director, Benoit Morenne. “The difference between it and what he earns at Anderlecht is not insurmountable. We want to make him one of our ambassadors.

 

“It is the only way to keep players of his quality in Belgium. We don’t want to get in their (Anderlecht’s) way if they can do a good deal for him. But Newcastle want an answer from Boussoufa by the end of the week, so there is no time to lose.”

 

Sven-Göran Eriksson is hopeful he can stop Keegan being reunited with former defender Richard Dunne by offering the Manchester City captain an extension to his contract, which expires next summer.

 

“I am quite sure it will be sorted out, when I don’t know,” said the Swede. “He has become a special, special player for the club.”

[The Fish 11080]

No quotes about any of those players what so ever.

 

pointless post wacky, you look like a twat now

 

[Hadrian 0]

i wouldnt offer anymore for barnes than we did in january .

the kids had far to many knee opps already , and is tainted with a relegated club on his cv , all by the lowely age of 19 .

 

im always amazed by the amount of quality players that have been released by chelsea youth before they make it big , they rape the world for these talented kids , yet none seem to come thru the ranks there .

[Hadrian 0]

Anderlecht ace and Former Chelsea star Mbark Boussoufa has welcomed speculation linking him with a move to Newcastle United.

 

Boussoufa said: "I'm flattered by Newcastle's interest. It is always nice to know clubs are watching me.

"I spent two years with Chelsea, so I know what English football is all about. I learned a lot from their players, especially Gianfranco Zola.

"I was on the point of breaking into their first team when Roman Abramovich arrived. He signed seven star players, and the youngsters were not given their chance.

"I would not say no to a good offer from England. If Newcastle want me they must first speak to my club - and then I'll gladly listen to what they have to say."

 

 

this deal sounds more and more likely to come off i reckon , zola's name has been thrown about alot regarding a position at the toon , and it never dawned on me to think that wisey would have alot of contacts with some of chelseas old youth .

 

wisey's looking like a better appointment by the day

[ewerk 31596]

this deal sounds more and more likely to come off i reckon

 

Possibly, though the talk of Kia subsidising his contract could mean that he's simply trying to get a better deal.

 

BTW is he any good? I've never seen him myself.

[Besty 4]

Giles Barnes Boussoufa?

[bawan 0]

Giles Barnes Boussoufa?

Its like Michael Omar Best

[Tooj 17]

Giles Barnes Boussoufa?

Its like Michael Omar Best