Yeah, it's a bit of a "shrug your shoulders" type signing. If it works, fine, we have adequate back-up. Ciani would have been someone with a view to permanently signing, so better long term, but more of a risk in the case of securing our PL status. I do think Yobo would be a reasonable signing though.
Decent back-up, yep. Just looked at his appearances last season. Featured quite a lot in both the league and the Europa League.
A few sources of varying repute in both Italy and Turkey are now reporting us targeting Ciani and Yobo. They reckon we're in talks with Yobo, but still at the negotiation stage with Lazio over Ciani.
Did you really think we might get the sort of midfield player (or two) we are looking for in this window Rob? Even Guthrie (with whom we were linked and who is well known to CH) would be most unlikely given his usefulness to Reading right now.
So with Wes unsettled and Howson still injured we stumble through the remainder of the season watching Hooper and RvW firing blanks due to lack of meaningful service? Way to go, Hootun
I didn't think we'd get two, but I thought we would at least be linked with getting one, yes. There is such a gaping hole in our system that it seems obvious that is what has been needed. Unless we're confident that Howson is close to returning, I suppose.
Johann Gudmundsson is a rumour - unfortunately there are two Icelandic winger with this name! I'm assuming they mean the 23 year old ex-Fulham player at AZ Alkmaar...
The latest on Yobo: http://www.turkish-football.com/news_read.php?id=5596 Seems official enough, but not quite definite enough yet. Perhaps this will happen if there's no deal on Ciani?
Fenerbahce have announced we are in talks for Yobo: 'Our talent of Joseph Yobo, Norwich City until the end of the 2013-14 season for hire began talks with the English Club'
I don't really see the point in this signing... I get that a centre back would be useful to us but I wouldn't say a 33 year old who has played barely any football this season is an upgrade on our current back up of Bennett and Martin.
Mivhael Bailey is now off to Colney for the usual weekly press call. All (more?) will doubtless be revealed a bit later this afternoon.
IMO, Yobo on loan makes sense to provide cover at CB. He's experienced in the PL and would allow a permanent CB signing in the summer.
I did just notice Yobo played in Nigeria's successful Africa Cup of Nations campaign at the start of last year. That surprised me. Wasn't aware he was still a feature for the national team.
I don't think there's any doubt about the need, I was just making the point that it is the least easily filled gap of all as far as a January signing is concerned. Villa's pursuit of Wes is an indication of that.
Sky Sports is now reporting the Yobo negotiations with this quoted from the Club: A statement from Norwich read: "City can confirm we are in talks with Turkish club Fenerbahce regarding a deal to bring experienced Nigerian international central defender Joseph Yobo to Carrow Road on loan until the end of the season." I presume that means subject to terms being agreed and a medical. I notice also that Yobo hasn't played much this season because Fenerbahçe have a problem with the 'foreign players limit' in the Turkish league.
