Not normally the most relable source of rumours, but Teamtwaddle reckon Glasgow Rangers have made enquiries about taking DF back to Glasgow.
They add "Ferguson, bought from Everton for #8 million, has been the subject of a great deal of speculation as the St. James' Board has been widely reported to be unimpressed with the striker's lengthy spells on the injury list.
Rangers chairman David Murray is said to have contacted Newcastle this week and was told Ferguson would be available at the right price. There would need to be some kind of compromise as Newcastle are keen to recoup at least #6 million on the player, whereas Rangers value him at around #3.5 million."

If he's fit enough to pass any sort of medical, IMHO we should grab their #3.5mm while we can - no one is going to pay #6mm for him.

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

Answers

I know what you mean Clarky, but what does #3.5 m get you these days (well, Pistone).

Maybe we should hang on to him at that price and hope he can have a relatively injury free season. He will score and make goals.

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

Pilgrim,

It would avoid a battle with the insurance company.

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

Clarky,

I don't know much about footballer insurance. Can we claim for loss of value, or only if his career is finished?

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2000

I believe the player has to be medically certified as incapable of playing, or that to continue playing could jeopardise his future well- being.
Of course, we're assuming The Toon were able to get DF insured in the first place given his injury record. I would assume they did, but it is probably very expensive.
I've heard unsubstantiated rumours that the Club have already had discussions with their insurers about DF - however, I must stress that these rumours are entirely unsubstantiated and probably unreliable.

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

On this subject of insurance. I was reading the Non League paper on Sunday and former Liverpool player Mike Marsh is banned from ever playing in the football league proper, due to the fact that he accepted an insurance pay-out for a career ending injury.

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

>>>>>>I believe the player has to be medically certified as incapable of playing<<<<<<

Can we not try using a variation of this one and get a pay out on Maric and Perez and then tell them to p*ss off.

I'm sure we could get a friendly doctor to at least certify them as being insane.

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

and 52,000 fans certifying they can't play!!!

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

The Rangers Chairman has said today that they have no interest in 'Yin. He said that DF's Agent is widely contacting other Clubs with a view to arranging a transfer - they were indeed contacted, but told his Agent they were not interested.

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

If it's true it's very shit that DF wants a transfer after being paid #40k a week while injured and scoring next to eff all goals.

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

Either you've missed the point or I haven't explained it very well dougal - probably the latter. It's not a question of DF looking to bog off: BR is looking to off-load him and appears to have told him to get his Agent to find him another Club.
IMO, if this story is true, BR is spot on. You cannot build a playing system around a key player who plays less than 50% of the games - especially when he is so unique physically.

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

No point in off loading him until we are guaranteed of a replacement. we'll end up playing Rob Lee up front again and the laughing stock of the Prem.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

Derby are the latest Club rumoured to be interested in taking DF. However, the drop in wages he would need to accept is seen as a major stumbling block to the move going ahead.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000