Carr flies out on Debuchy mission

Taken from the journal today......

GRAHAM Carr will jet out to Euro 2012 this week to make a personal check on Newcastle United target Mathieu Debuchy – as the Magpies look to ramp up their interest in the France right-back.

Lille have dismissed an initial approach for the player and branded United’s offer of around £4million as “unacceptable”. Inter Milan have also made an enquiry about the player.

But despite the prospect of a bidding war Newcastle will not give up their pursuit of the defender, and still believe the player’s preference for a move to Tyneside puts them in a commanding position to sign the right-back.

Chelsea were also linked with a move for Debuchy over the weekend but he has been on United’s radar for two-and-a-half years.

And Newcastle believe they would be able to offer him a competitive enough contract to persuade him to move to Tyneside.

The lure of Champions League football would be considerable, but Debuchy’s close friendship with fellow France international Yohan Cabaye will play a part in their negotiations. The Magpies midfielder has spoken highly of how Newcastle helped him and his family to settle, and that will appeal to family man Debuchy – whose son Lucas turned five over the weekend.

The fact that Carr will travel to Poland and Ukraine to watch him in person next week – provided France make it through tomorrow’s Group D decider – is an indication that Newcastle are not about to shelve their interest in the player.


As revealed in The Journal last week, United’s negotiations with Lille are yet to extend to agreeing a fee over Debuchy. “We are not sellers. We did not extend his contract last season to sell him – he is part of our plans and a Lille player,” the Ligue 1 club’s president Michel Seydoux said.

After a few quiet days, United’s recruitment drive should begin to build momentum this week.

Football secretary Lee Charnley is due back in the UK today and that may provide more clarity on several ongoing transfer situations – not least the confusion that surrounds Demba Ba.

Galatasaray have been heavily linked with the striker, and The Journal understands that negotiations took place – however, the Turkish club’s president Unal Aysal said interest in Ba had been shelved on Saturday.

Aysal told a Turkish newspaper: “(Manager) Fatih (Terim) had negotiations but then gave up. Our senior striker must be a ‘name’ – that name will not be Demba Ba.”

United continue to insist that there have been no official offers or enquiries for any of their players – including Ba.

A clause in the Senegal striker’s contract allows clubs who meet a valuation of around £7m to talk to him.

Meanwhile, Newcastle supporters should get some clarification on their pre-season plans today, with the organisers of the South African tournament they were in negotiations to play in set to release a statement.

United had been close to agreeing a deal to play in the Vodacom tournament along with the Kaizer Chiefs and Democratic Republic of Congo side TP Mazembe.

However, those plans are shrouded in confusion after the South African hosts admitted that the tournament was unlikely to happen.

Jabu Mathibela, a spokesman for organisers SAIL, said: “I see people mention Newcastle but we have not really concluded anything with those guys.” The Journal understands that United have alternative options – with the possibility of extending their stay in Portugal to a fortnight and playing Sporting Lisbon also under consideration.

The club has also looked into the possibility of playing a fixture in Germany. Either way, it will be a setback for United, who had hoped to maximise their revenue by playing in the money-spinning Vodacom tournament.

 

hope!!

 

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He'd be a nice signing but I'm not fussed if it doesn't happen as I'd prefer a left back.

 

he's probably going to watch some one completely different, or just take in the latter stages of the tournament when the class will really show.

 

Santon does a great job at LB. He's obvious a bit more comfortable at RB, but we can help him develop. It would be immense having two fullbacks with pace and skill on each side.

 

According to Mark Douglas of the journal there are serious concerns about Santon's progress.

 

Well I wont buy into that bullshit, and I'm really quite pissed off when I hear people on twitter saying he's not good enough and he's not improved.

He was 20 years old when he came here and he's just turned 21! For ****s sake give the lads some ****ing time!

He's miles better than what Colo, Enrique and Jonas were after this long in the premier league, and he's younger!

He deserves 2 seasons, which is what the 3 musketeers took to get to premier league standard, and remember that they also had a season at a lower level so they could work their way up.

Santon is younger and much more inexperienced and has been thrown straight in at the highest level.

He's done nothing but impress me in the attacking sense, and in terms of tackling, winning headers and such, he's quite solid. The only thing he needs to improve on is his tactical awareness, but I could see through the course of the season that he improved in that sense also. His reading of the game definitely improved.

He's definitely not a liability. He needs to improve, but, defensively, he's at an acceptable level and he's worth keeping in for his pace and attacking qualities.

 

this, santons alot better then simpson already IMO and is only going to improve. pardew will iron the creases out his game and he has the potential to be a top top fullback! it seems he has a great attitude also!

 

I'd say Simpson is probably more solid defensively than Santon, but he's had more time at this level and is older and more experienced. Santon isn't that far off though.

 

Santon is class. When he hits 25 I expect him to be world class.

 

Santon is already very good going forward, with a few tweaks he could be exceptional attacking wise.

His defending can sometimes leave a little bit to be desired but he's only played what about 20 or so games? And even in that time hes come on leaps and bounds, I hope to see him continue to improve next season, I would have no trouble in starting the season with him in the LB or RB slot.

I do agree with Warm Pouch though, it would make more sense to buy a left back and play Santon in his natural role so we can keep a good balance to the side, and also see Santon onto his preferred right foot. But if we do manage to get Debuchy it will be a great coup and I certainly won't complain.

 

Richard offiong ‏@Offiong1983
Told by reliable source that Inter have made a concrete offer for Debuchy but has heart set on joining Newcastle. Cabaye is his best mate

....then literally a few minutes ago.... (not sure on reliability)



"Darren Can ‏@Darren_Can

Newcastle United have made a bid for Debuchy, according to RMC Sport in France."

 

Seems like we've made a 5m bid for him,probably wont be enough though.

 

http://www.rmcsport.fr/editorial/268584/une-offre-de-newcastle-pour-debuchy/

Translated:

"Reportedly, Newcastle has sent an offer of 5 million euros in the LOSC for Mathieu Debuchy. The Magpies went into action for the French international. Inter Milan also contacted the LOSC, without making the club offer northerner, but simply a request for information. The Lille has a good outlet for offers of around € 8 million minimum. To replace Mathieu Debuchy, LOSC think the right side Sochaux Sebastien Corchia and Henri Bedimo Montpellier, who plays left. Franck Beria could then reoccupy the right lane."

 

Offiong is ex Toon so may be well connected

 

So around £7miil.. Worth paying IMHO.

 

If we've offered 5 million euros, which is what is now being widely reported around the net, then isn't that only about 4.5 million in pounds? Seems very cheap, but would probably be the kind of money we would be willing to offer. Bid seems like us.

 

Just pay the ****ing price to avoid us losing him