Ashley to take hands on role in transfers

http://www.peterleestar.co.uk/sport...-newcastle-united-transfer-business-1-5334966


By MILES STARFORTH
Published on Saturday 19 January 2013 11:33

MIKE Ashley’s taken a hands-on role in Newcastle United’s transfer business – with the club’s Premier League status on the line.

Toon boss Alan Pardew’s desperate for two more signings.

Newcastle were just two points above the relegation zone ahead of this afternoon’s home game against Reading.

And Pardew says Ashley is acutely aware that he has a “weak” hand until further reinforcements arrive.

However, Pardew – who isn’t involved directly in transfer negotiations – refused to make any promises to supporters, mindful of his pledge to keep hold of striker Andy Carroll, who left the club two years ago.

“They’ve had enough false promises from managers here in the past, even from myself with the Andy Carroll situation,” Pardew said.

“I’m not going to fall into that trap.

“All I will say is that since I have been at the club – which is all I can talk about, my history here – we’re the most aggressive I’ve ever seen us in terms of the people who do the negotiations.

“Mike, Derek (Llambias) and Lee Charnley have been aggressive in the market.

“They know that I’m weak, and they want to strengthen my hand. I thank them for that. Hopefully, they get the players.”

United lost out on Loic Remy this week, with the striker opting to join basement club Queens Park Rangers, who tabled a more lucrative offer to the 26-year-old.

That left fans – who saw leading scorer Demba Ba join Chelsea last month – frustrated.

But Pardew believes the right calibre of player can be signed within the financial boundaries set by Ashley.

While a striker and a centre-half are the top priorities, Newcastle have had a £2m bid accepted by Nancy for left-back Massadio Haidara, and the club is discussing personal terms with the 20-year-old’s representative.

“Our financial position’s so much stronger than it has ever been,” added Pardew.

“But we find ourselves in a position where we need to invest in the team – I think that’s fairly obvious. We’re going to do that, but within the boundaries that have been set out.

“They aren’t boundaries that I’ve set – they’re boundaries that the owner has set.

“I have to abide by them. At the same time, I’ll still push for the best possible players I can get. Hopefully, the negotiations, that aren’t done by me, bear fruit.”

With a new £5bn three-year Premier League TV deal to kick in next season, the consequences of relegation are unthinkable.

And the cost of a couple of signings pales into insignificance when compared with the financial hit the club would take by dropping down a division.

“This club has already been relegated not so long ago,” said Pardew. “To be fair to Mike, he was in a position where he could keep the team together.

“If you keep the team, you go back up.

“But we don’t want to be in that scenario. The last person who wants that position is Mike Ashley.

“He doesn’t want to go back to that. We’re aggressive, but we can’t be overly aggressive. We have to do what we think is right for the club.”

Remy yesterday claimed he joined QPR for footballing, and not financial, reasons. The France international said he was “excited by the QPR project”.

On the proposed Remy deal, Pardew went on: “We made the right offer (to Olympique Marseille), and it was accepted.

“We made the player an unbelievable offer. The attraction for him and us was that he was French. It would have made him very easy for him to integrate.

“I was very surprised by his decision, and I don’t know what swayed that decision.”

 

With a new £5bn three-year Premier League TV deal to kick in next season, the consequences of relegation are unthinkable.

And the cost of a couple of signings pales into insignificance when compared with the financial hit the club would take by dropping down a division.

The above says it all really, the amount he would need to invest versus the financial incentives to stay in the PL, equals a no- brainer, the club simply has too strengthen in this window or face the consequences.

 

I have confidence in MA's negotiation skills.
He's still a cockney twat though.

 

Its a damning indictment on Llambarse's abilities, surely MA is a busy man with better things to do. Probably good news though, he is more likely to take risks I think as its his money!

 

Ashley to take a more hands on role in transfers..........

Just needs to get his hands out his pockets............. And quick, but agree with Fred, as it's his money, he hopefully will loosen up the purse strings just a tiny bit more, nothing silly or drastic, just enough to get us back on track and pushing on.

 

Do you think this has happened and could it explain the sudden deluge of transfer action after 2 windows of painful negotiation?

 

I think it has happened.
Mike can see his investment hitting the buffers so has acted decisively.
I know done one who works at the SD head office for him and he doesn't mess about.
Remember how quickly he bought our club?

 

Terrible pics of Parpoo on the front and back pages of the Ronnie.

Think his top lip is definitely stapled to his gum.

Anyway, he looks a worried man on both pics.

 

Guess he has cause to be worried, it seems he is getting the reinforcements he wants for the squad, and whilst no one should be expecting any miracles, some improvement needs to be forthcoming or l think head will roll. Between him and Lambert, Saturdays game is taking on mammoth proportions.

 

If MA is taking more of a leading role does that mean Llambias is not doing his job properly? If so get rid of him Mike and bring back Mort.

 

I was deeply disappointed that this wasn't a joke thread with the contents "of Greggs pasties from the bag to his mouth"...

Nevertheless, I think it's nice people have seen him spurred into action. It was necessary.

 

It seems he is actually as good at buying as he is at selling.

 

Credit where credits due l suppose, still don't trust him much though.

 

Not this again

He's not a Cockney, he's not even from London.