Just picked this up from NUFC.com Another day... Following Thursday's Arouna Kone pantomime, here's a rundown of the runners and riders in the Magpie striking stakes, at least according to recent press speculation: Pierre Aubameyang (St. Etienne) has now completed a transfer to Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed fee. Darren Bent (Aston Villa) excluded from training by current club, available for transfer at a claimed £8m, which has resulted in zero interest. Wilfried Bony (Vitesse Arnhem) has now commenced pre-season training at current club following breakdown in negotiations with Swansea City - reading between the lines it's the transfer details not the personal terms. Bojan Krkic (Barcelona) Linked in the Spanish and French press with loan moves to both Real Betis and Marseille. Eder (Sporting (Braga) Notwithstanding the fact that he's currently sidelined through injury, the Italian media have credited Lazio with an ongoing interest in signing him. Kevin Gameiro (PSG) Linked with various European clubs by a busy agent, but open to question how motivated he is to abandon a lucrative contract running until 2015. A further indication of his current club's desire to offload him is news on Wednesday that Gameiro had been made to train with the youth team. Andre-Pierre Gignac (Marseille) Seemingly content to wait for offers from interested parties, confirmation came on Thursday of a criminal investigation into the financial aspect of Gignac's move from Toulouse in 2010. Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon) In semi-dispute with current club after they were forced to sell another player last month to meet financial targets - a situation apparently caused by the reluctance of Gomis to move to any of the three clubs who met Lyon's asking price. French media sources claimed on Friday that Newcastle had made further contact over Gomis and were held in greater esteem by the player than fellow Premier League suitors Swansea City and Cardiff City. Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev) No recent updates - the player is believed to be on holiday after appearing for Nigeria at the recent Confederations Cup. Loic Remy (QPR) reportedly available for £7.5m but North East press seem united in their belief that Newcastle are now uninterested following their failed attempt to sign him from Marseille back in January. PS: Whether any immediate progress will be made on acquiring a striker - or anyone else - remains to be seen, with confirmation that our director of f****all has now departed on a family holiday. No hurry then. "You have to remember you are representing the fans up here. That is what I have to do. Work hard to get the club going forward again.â Yes Joe, sure Joe, just you get on with it while laying on your sun bed on the beach. Just don't go swimming in case somebody harpoons you thinking that you're a whale. On second thoughts ..............................................................
The club is in anarchy, all the strikers we were apparently after have gone else well or don't give a **** - and rightly so. I can't believe we are in July with the season a little more than a month away and we have not brought reinforcements in, all the while the teams around last season have strengthened. We are a ****ing shambles.
THIS and please someone prove this assessment wrong, or we won't escape the drop like we did last season, because we won't have Reading or QPR or Wigan to save our backsides.
Mike Ashley NO AMBITION will only spend if he sees his investment in trouble Kinnear all talk Pards happy for these 2 to take all the flak
I know we all want to feel dreadful, but there's still two months to go. I'd be interested in other opinions, but I don't think one, single player has moved where I can honestly say we should have got them, nor have I cast a single envious glance anywhere - actually, one place - Dortmund/PEA. Like I said, though, if Dortmund are bidding against us, it's not a contest. That's life, whether we've Joke as DoF or God. Even outside of reality at the likes of Chelsea, Spurs and Man City I don't even really know who Ginkel, Paulinho or Ferdinandinho are.
Mark Douglas has said on Twitter that we have tried for and missed out on 3 French targets this week, not including PEA. He wasn't given names but thinks one may have been Gignac, one a decent central defender and the final player a young prospect. If he's correct it probably shows what a sterling effect Kinnear is having on our negotiations.
Agreed. I would have been seriously underwhelmed. Our lack of activity might also be down selling clubs knowing all about the TV money and holding out for more whilst MA is unwilling to budge on the kind of prices we would have paid previous seasons.
It's almost as if we feel duty bound to wind ourselves up! People's opinion may differ, but in my book (as per OP): Pierre Aubameyang - decent player, but we're not Dortmund. Darren Bent - crap, no thanks. Wilfried Bony - jury's out, but he hasn't gone anywhere yet. Bojan Krkic - really?! Eder - you said it - injured. Kevin Gameiro - maybe, hasn't gone anywhere yet. Andre-Pierre Gignac - quite a poor player, no thanks. Bafetimbi Gomis - hit and miss, nothing more heard, still possible. Brown Ideye - looks ok, again he hasn't moved yet. Loic Remy - turned us down in Jan for money, on a rape charge. Should we be rolling out a red carpet?!
I think it's the lack of information that is making us all fear the worst. Kinnear hasn't helped himself by sounding like a prize incompetent. We would have optimism if there was anyone in power who is seen as caring about our club.
