West Brom striker Saido Berahino has been linked with a move to Newcastle United, who insist they want to keep Fabricio Coloccini West Brom striker Saido Berahino has been linked with a move to Newcastle United, who insist they want to keep Fabricio Coloccini Saido Berahino could be a shock target for Newcastle United according to the Sunday Express. The paper claims the Magpies are set to hijack Tottenham’s bid for the West Brom front man after losing patience in their pursuit of Charlie Austin, though the reported fee of £20million for Berahino could well prove a stumbling block. Feyenoord winger Jean-Paul Boetius was one old link to resurface in the Dutch media after reports that he was talking to a European club, though there appears little fresh substance to it. Playing down any hopes that there would be one or more new faces in at St James’ Park before Sunday’s season-opener with Southampton, head coach Steve McClaren said: “I would expect what we’ve got to start. “Are we looking at more? There is a lot of speculation out there. Nothing is happening at the present moment, believe you me. “There is a lot of work behind the scenes. It’s taken us quite a while to get the ones we’ve got. We are pleased with them - very pleased - because of their quality. “Will there be any more? I don’t know, I always want more but are they available and can we get them? We don’t know.” The latest round of transfer speculation at Newcastle United otherwise once again centred on the future of Fabricio Coloccini. Having been linked with Crystal Palace and Olympiacos in recent days, the Argentinian was once absent from the line-up through injury as United fell 1-0 at home to Borussia Monchengladbach in their final pre-season friendly. Manager Steve McClaren reiterated his desire to keep the club captain, saying: “There is a lot of speculation about Colo but he is still a big part of this football club. “I’ve stressed how much I want him here and to be part of the team and squad and I have expressed that to him and the club. “So yeah the speculation is the speculation, there has been no official approach by anybody or anyone. I hope Colo will be training with us on Tuesday.”
Would be a great signing but have to say I can't see this one getting further than paper talk. To many other clubs in for him that are in a better position than us. That said if we did pull it off and another CB I'd be chuffed!
This 100% for me. £20m is over the odds and we won't spend that kind of money. But agree that if it were a straight choice (not that it is ) then Austin for £15m plus cash for a CB/LB would be a much better option.
Thing is, I've watched him, and I genuinely don't rate him. He's a goalscorer in the form of Darren Bent, only Bent was a better version. Berahino has no power, he has crap finishing in general, and the positive of his pace seems negated by the fact he's a lazy **** who thinks he's better than he is. His one positive is that he's a decent goal-hanger in terms of getting in the right position to score, but his technique, for me, is piss-poor. Best thing that could happen to him is he goes to Spurs on 60k a week and THEN they find out he's crap. At least he can make a David Bentley-esque living from being overhyped mediocre.