The 'Ronnie' this evening reports that the Toon have slapped a #10 million transfer fee on Nobby Solano in response to speculation over the weekend linking him to both Real Madrid and manure. They feel the Madrid rumour is a regurgitation of an old story, but believe there has indeed been Board contact between the Toon and manure, who have been advised Nobby has 2 1/2 years to run on his existing contract. Taggart's interest has apparently cooled! The paper also reports a story that Turkish club Fenerbace (spelling?) are very keen to sign 'Yin and are reported to be preparing to bid up to #12 million to get him. #22 million would make a pretty decent transfer kitty for BR!

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2000

Answers

Like I said on another thread, if Bobby got 22 Million I bet he'd only get 7-8 million or so to spend on new players.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2000

I thought one of the main ideas for financing the stadium enlargement with future gate receipts was so that the footballing side of the business could function unaffected - the implication being that money received for players could be used on buying players, not servicing debt.

Oh and another quibble. (Sorry Duncan:-)). You can't seem to reply to a reply, only the original question, making it a very question and answers format, rather than a discussion.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2000

Ermm. That last posting was b*llcks, well re the quibble anyway. Obviously communicata was exactly the same.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2000

Nobby has stated publicly that he wants to play for Real and admitted that he bhas already had some discussions. In addition, one of the Sunday Tabloids reported that YBR was interested in Steve MacManaman, who's struggling to get a game at the minute and has been dropped by Kevin Keegan as well.

My money is on a swap.

PapaDoc

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2000

Re: Nobby

John,

Just where has Nobby stated publicaly that he wants to play for real Madrid? I have read news stories saying that he wants to go, but none actually quoting the player himself. I thinking it's all speculation and windup on behalf of the news services.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

NOBBY...to: Tre

It was plastered over the back page of the S/Sun, and reportedly based on interviews he has recently given to the Peruvian press. He is quoted as saying to the Peruvian newspaper, Libero "the deal is close and I am hopeful. I would very much like it to happen. It would be a great challenge for me, and a dream that very few footballers realise. Talks are tkaing place and I hope they conclude in my favour. I want to wear the Real Madrid shirt, as all Peruvians do."

There is a computer-generated photo of Nobby in a Real shirt on the back page of Libero.

As usual, the Sun's sister paper, the N/C Journal, yesterday rubbished the story, saying that with over two years left on his contract, if Nobby does leave the Toon it is more likely to be to manure than Real Madrid.

However, if Real were prepared to offer an exchange of Steve Macmanamanamanam for Nobby, BR could very well snap their hands off.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

Not sure I'd want Macca the Mercenary. And I'm certain he'd have to take a cut in salary for us to be able to afford him. I wonder what he was on with the Scousers?

Of course, he has a contract with Real Madrid, and being the watertight things that they are, he will no doubt hold out for as long as he can at RM and just rake in the cash :-))

PS. He'd have to get his hair cut - I can't see YBR standing for any Nancy-Boy hairstyles. I reckon Pistone is only allowed to get away with it because it was that way when he took over. New signings are short-back-and-sides only!!

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

More on the Big Yin from Ronnie Gill

Meanwhile, the soccer grapevine was still buzzing today about Fenerbahce's interest in Duncan Ferguson with the Turkish outfit insisting they are prepared to pay #15 million.

The news actually broke in Glasgow over the weekend. But it has been prompted by the fact that Robson chairman Freddie Shepherd and chief executive Freddie Fletcher have made a hush hush trip to Turkey on club business recently.

This is getting silly. #15M. Bite their bliddy hands off before they get chopped off!

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

Toon Management in Turkey ...to: Screacher

Perhaps they trying to throw in Sylvia for a #20 million package deal.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

Hey Clarky. I didn't that the Turkish Lire sign was the same as our pound sign.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

interesting how times move on...

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

YBR would NEVER go for that scally mop-head.

He made a [very] thinly veiled attack on a player in the England squad 'not fooling me' a few years ago and it was widely assumed it was Anderton or Macmanananananananananananman. As Anderton was injured at the time [and has been ever since?], it had to be Wiggy.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

he also said recently that you could not compare Macca and Giggs...did macca tumble with his wife?

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

I seem to recall Bobby commenting during Euro 2000 that the problem with Macca is that no one really knows where to play him so his talent is wasted. Regarding Nobby and Real, the daft get would probably go there and never get a game. Didn't Nobby sign a new contract a few weeks ago - I think his contract runs out in 2006 (according to NUFC.COM)

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001