Bottom of pasting is what Im refering too. AM

England: News Monday May 22, 2000, 11:34 PM London Time Robson winning the race for Spaniard Kiko By John Richardson EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle boss Bobby Robson is closing in on Spain and Atletico Madrid star Kiko in an ambitious #4.5million deal.

Kiko, a powerfully-built 28-year-old striker, is anxious to move to the Premiership and Robson has stolen a march on north-east rivals Middlesbrough by holding talks in Paris with the player's advisors.

Atletico have been relegated from the Primera Liga and are being forced to sell off their big-name players to clear massive debts.

Newcastle, who are anxious to augment the striking partnership of Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson, have moved in with an offer which has been accepted by the Spaniards.

If the deal goes through, doubts could arise over the long-term future of the muscular Fergsuon, built in a similar mould to Kiko. Although he and Robson appeared to have a good working relationship as the former England boss revived Newcastle's fortunes, the player was again hit by injury towards the end of the season.

The Geordies are putting together a financial package including a four-year contract worth #25,000 a week.

Another Spanish side, Celta Vigo, are prepared to pay Newcastle #1.5m for Croatia international Silvio Maric, who cost the club #3.6m only 15 months ago.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

Answers

Don't snap their hands off!! they might not pay...

Let's not get too excited and make them suspicious....best poker faces everyone NOW!!!

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

Is he any good?

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

Maric, nah hes crap!!!!

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

Ssshhhh!!

Actually Silvia Maric is brilliant (I know his accountant loves him!)....if he weren't already one of ours players then I'm certain he'd be our No1 target (with a gun!)....

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

Scary. This reminds me of when Spurs (I think) were interested in Barton. Look at Barton now. Perhaps the fake praise was the turning point. Perhaps Maric will become a star player if we try and convince the world he's the dog's bollocks.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

remeber the sublime way he put the ball past the keeper in the FA cup last year .. class man , great striker , dead sorry to see him go .

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

Sting,

Aye that was pure magic that....he dummied absolutely everyone...

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

I must admit I wasnt expecting the finish he produced, only a person with maric's skill level and professionalism could have done that ;-) AM

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

Wait one second!
When I asked "is he any good" before I was on about Kiko
You childish gets!

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

Just as an aside, and so I don't have to start up a whole new thread, a name that's glaringly conspicuous by it's absense from all of this speculation is Alain Goma.

What's the latest, anybody ?

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

He is in Trinidad & Tobago at the moment, he played in the last match of the tour. I for one would be more than happy to keep him. He looks the ideal Centre back in terms of stature, pace etc and he has won four caps for France (I think that's right) so he can't be bad.

He was starting to pick up a bit of form before he got the serious injury and he should be given a chance. I think the speculation arose because the French clubs qualified for the Champions League and the press were looking to see who they would buy.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

Thank you kindly, young man.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

Tonight's Ronnie confirms that BR is holding talks with Kiko's agent in Paris. HOWEVER, they suggest that Kiko is NOT at the top of Bobby's list of strikers. They say "Robson rates Kiko - but another deal for a European striker, who would cost a lot more, is also on the boil".

Now, that's really got my attention. Who the hell could it be?

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

David Trezeguet from Monaco with Domi going the other way!! Stranger things have happened?!

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

OR it could be....a load of tosh like most of the other rumblings!

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

I thought Maric wanted to go back to Croatia - not Spain. Or is it that he just wants out from SJP?

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2000

Recoba, Recoba, Recoba!

Don't mind me, I'm allowed to dream aren't I? Apparently Inter got into Europe in a playoff in Italy yesterday, so they might not want to sell him :-(

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2000

"Recoba"

Isn't that where Yoda lived?

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2000