Haidara linked

Yes and if your a striker with no pace or passing skills you are best suited on the right wing for half a season.

 

http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/...ewcastle-united-have-beaten-off-tottenham-to-

Another French source saying we've won the race to sign the lad....


Le Figaro have revealed that Newcastle United have won the race to sign Nancy defender Massadio Haidara. They claim the Premier League club have agreed to pay €2.5m for the young Frenchman and have beaten off the challenge of Tottenham Hotspur for his signature.

Le10 had reported this month that five English clubs were in talks with the French club but their vice president Jacques Rousselot never went as far in his statements to say who they were negotiating with. Along with Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa were also tracking the player.

The Premier League has always been the preferred destination for Haidara and therefore it comes as no surprise that he looks like he's going to an English club. Rousselot said that the player has had two years in France now but is keen to find a new challenge in England.

"The player with the highest market value is Massadio Haïdara. It’s been two years that he has played in Ligue 1. He really likes the English market. Today we are in contact with five English clubs at the first part of the negotiations. We think it should be finalised soon".

The under 21 international still has 18 months left on his contract so if Newcastle United sign the player for the reported fee then they will be getting him at a cut price. The Daily Mail had reported last November that Aston Villa were told that it would take £6.5m bid to land the youngster but distanced themselves from a deal as they were only prepared to pay £2m. They claimed that Tottenham Hotspur had firmly joined the fight for him which fit in with the reports from France about several English clubs being interested. Spurs moving in pushed Aston Villa out of the picture. Nancy are keen to offload their prize asset in this month’s transfer window and therefore this could explain why he is going on the cheap.

 

and here too....

http://www.soccernews.com/nancy-full-back-set-for-newcastle-move/111747/?

French daily L’Equipe understands that Newcastle have agreed a deal to sign Nancy defender Massadio Haidara.

The same source claims the two clubs have agreed on a €2.5 million fee, with all that’s left is for the player to sort out personal terms with the English club.

Haidara, 20, should provide competition for Davide Santon at St James Park and possibly replace the Italy international if he decides to return to Italian Serie A.

He will be club’s second signing of the January transfer window, after Mathieu Debuchy completed a €6.2 million move from Lille.

The talented full-back has spent his entire career at Nancy, and has made a total of 44 Ligue 1 appearances for the club.

Haidara is currently a member of France Under-21 side and made his only appearance up to date in the 2-1 defeat to Slovakia.

 

Hopeful on this chap... But of course French newspapers know us quite well from our recent forays, it's no shock we're the favourites to sign them!

 

Aye been reading a few journos on twitter saying we have had a bid accepted. Up to the player now. Roma supposed to be after him also.

 

Phew. Thank goodness we have a backup left back. The spectre of relegation well and truly banished..

 

Colin hasn't confirmed the deal so the signs are good

 

i hope he can play up front....

 

.........and centre half

 

. . . at the same time

 

West Ham have outbid us

 

word has it this lad and Mbiwa are in Newcastle as we speak finalising their moves.
Looks like a busy 24 hours for the Toon....

 

Ssshhh.... Not yet! Wait until it's confirmed or else I'll cry if 'Arry hijacks another deal - whoever it might be for, or how good they are (or are not).

 

@Newcastle_FC: BREAKING: sky sports understand that Newcastle have made a £500m bid for Ligue 1.

 

Had to chuckle at the last one..

 

PMSL!

 

@GFN_France: BREAKING: DONE DEAL: We waited until we were 100% sure, but #Haidara to #NUFC is a done deal too! €2.5m from #Nancy. #WHFC miss out.

 

show me the shirt..... (and him in it).

 

Good news if it's true!

I'm sure some stuff rattling around on twitter is true (refuse to entertain that site), but I love how it is the modern version of "My mates Mums, Aunty's dog pissed on Zidane's foot outside SJP - he's signed, it's official!".

The self involved, attention seeking nature of many twitter users, is why I've never even been on the site.