This one from the fiver

Newcastle will offer Anderlecht #6m for Jan Koller. The arrival of the 6ft 7in Czech Republic striker would signal the departure of Duncan Ferguson - Bobby Robson is prepared to listen to offers of #3m for the ex-Everton, Rangers and Dundee United player.

6 foot 7??? bliddy giant

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2000

Answers

Good grief!
I've seen all Koller's games so far for the Czech Republic, and while he's not as bad as first impressions suggest, he's not the sort of player I'd like to see at the Toon. From what I've seen he's nowhere near as competent as DF, and not so aggressive - struck me as big pussy-cat actually.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2000

Donkey was the word that sprung to my mind

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2000

Yes Geordie, that word crossed my mind as well. #6mm proposed transfer fee as well - just as well we've got plenty of dosh!
#4mm for The Ice Man and #6mm for this blerk was also a source of some conjecture for me.
Wor Burb knows exactly what he's doing, Wor Burb knows exactly what he's doing, Wor Burb knows exactly what he's doing, Wor ...................

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2000

Just got a transfer rumour from a Greek web site:

From a Slovenian source and from a manure supporters web site, manure have offered up to #16m for Zlatko Zahovic from Olympiakos.

"In Greece we've come to accept him as a problem child because he is quick to blame everybody else for his problems, teammates, coaches, everybody. But now Manchester United have heard his cries and have answered with a #16m pacifier. And Olympiakos are not only happy to unload him but will sell him at an inflated price."

ZZ is very talented but he has a problem up in his head. I've witnessed this first-hand and have seen some very bizarre behaviour out of this man. Like I said, he oozes ability but he must be the best player on the team and must play the entire game - otherwise he becomes unpredictable. I don't believe manure will go for him unfortunately.

Of course there is a chance that Sir Alex will be able to tame the beast but why would he chance it?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2000

he is quick to blame everybody else for his problems, teammates, coaches, everybody.

Sounds like he'll fit right in then! ;-)

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2000

Zahovic to manure?
I sincerely hope they buy him - a rotten apple in the barrel, and #16mm lighter. Perfect.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2000

Meanwhile, another potential target, Portugal's Joao Pinto has been offered a four-year deal worth #1m a year by Italian giants Fiorentina. It was thought that the Italian club had withdrawn their interest in the 28-year-old but now seem very keen. The Italian club hope that the deal will keep Manuel Rui Costa at the club. Fiorentina president, Vittorio Cecchi Gorri, said: "Joao Pinto is a player that interests us very much."

I know some on here doubt Pinto's ability to play in the EPL, but I for one would be gutted if we miss out on a player of his quality, when he's on a free.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000

Robson to push Helder fee.

Bobby Robson is ready to increase his efforts to persuade Deportivo La Caruna to lower their #4m demand for Helder. The Toon boss will make his move following fellow Portugese defender, Fernando Meira's, move to Benfica.

Helder impressed Robson last season but his loan spell is now at an end and Robson will not pay the asking price due to the amount of injuries the defender seems prone to get.

Good I like Helder and would be happy with a central defensive squad of Dabizas, Helder, Goma, Howey and Hughes to choose from.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000

From today's Journal Meanwhile, Bradford's decision to place manager Paul Jewell on paid leave may well have dented Des Hamilton's hopes of a move back to his home town club. Under Jewell, the Bantams were preparing a bid for Newcastle's transfer-listed midfielder but all deals have been put on hold until chairman Geoffrey Richmond resolves his club's coaching crisis.

DAMN !!

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000

Kick us while we're down eh ;))

Maybe we can persuade him to take him to Sheff Weds in part exchange for Alexandersson ;))

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000

The Zahovic to Man U story is being carried by the Slovene sports paper Ekipa. However they go on to say half the clubs in the Premiership are now after him. They always get confused between transfer fees and the player's package, so I don't think the fee would be as high as 16m. The man has had a bad time in Greece, but he is a genius and one of the five or six best players in the world. Bobby signed him for his previous club, Porto, where ZZ never had any problems. I would love to see him in the black and white, but I think he'll probably go to Spain.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000

PInto to Fiorentina for only 1 million a year, taht's only 20k a week isn't it?? What happened to the 60 he was quoted as wanting.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000

Richard Wright's agent is talking up a move to Celtic for him. If we did an exchange with Given plus cash, he'd surely want to join up with Dyer and Old Man Ipswich, Uncle Bobby.

To summarise Wright in Given out + #2 mill? Pistone out = Hutchinson in?

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000

From Team Twaddle 'Keeper search on ++ Bobby Robson is believed to be trailing Real Betis keeper Toni Prats. The Newcastle boss is stepping up his goalkeeping search after learning last week that No 1 target Jose Francisco Molina has decided to stay at relegated Atletico Madrid. Betis also dropped out of the Primera Liga last term, and 28-year-old Prats has already indicated that he does not want to play in the Spanish Second Division. Betis have placed a #4 million price tag on his head so any deal would not come cheap for the Magpies.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000

No, please spare us the embarrassment of a keeper called Prats. Even if he's brilliant, he'd have to change his name. Still, that's 2 more keepers weve been linked with. Makes us look like Wright Prats. Talking of whom...........cue AW-P.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000

We've already got a prat on the keeping staff.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000