From Sporting Life.com.

Newcastle are on the verge of signing Lyon defender Olivier Bernard on a one-year deal, according to sources in France.

Although Bernard is not yet a regular member of the first-team squad, the 20-year-old has been with the French First Division club since he was 14 and has represented his country at both Under-15 and Under-16 level.

Another of Lyon's youngsters could also be set for a move to the English Premiership, with defender Djamel Alioui reportedly in negotiations over a move to Charlton.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Answers

In Planet Football too. YBR certainly likes his new fangled 'option' deals, less risk on us I suppose but a bit easier for the player to leave I imagine.

NEWCASTLE UNITED are on the brink of signing Lyon defender Olivier Bernard. The 20-year-old is highly-rated in France, having gained international honours at Under-21 level, and is seen as part of manager Bobby Robson's long-term plans to overhaul The Magpies' back- line.

Despite keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 victory over Tottenham at the weekend, the former England manager is well aware that his defence is far from secure and new blood is required.

It is being reported that Bernard is about to sign a one-year deal, with an option to extend the move should all parties agree.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

According to the BBC site he has signed for us on a free transfer.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Just read that Bernard has been confirmed signed on a "Free", all we need now is Sir Humphrey and the Minister and we are all set for a barrel of laughs this season.

Hat coat thank you

Does this fit the Jonno putt ITK??

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Another young star who hopefully will do as well as Arsenal's french imports.

Anyone know the avergage age of our squad now? Must be getting pretty low compared to other clubs.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Anyone know anything about him? I just wonder that if he is so good, why have Lyon let him go for nothing. Is this a Bosman? or what?

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

If he was that good Lyon would have him on a new contract or another club would have bought him a few months ago. Smells a bit of a player who a few months after the French season ends is hanging around for a new club and then we come in and sign him. Have we watched him in games?

Can't criticise Bobby for his signings so far, so we'll wait and see.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Lyon have just bought another defender, Edmilson (he had a runout with Aresnal a while back). There's little info on Bernard, but it seems they are trimming back their youth program and reserves a la Keegan. Obviously this Bernard is no considered first team material, and I would question what has happened since under 16 level. But that's how you get bargains - find players who have been underachieving, give them another chance and hey presto. It's as much a character assessment as anything

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Oi Gus.......we have already have Sir Humphrey APPLEBY and over the years we have seen our fair share of Jim HACKER's so linked up with BERNARD it definitely is already a YES MINISTER!

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

According to teamtalk (cut and paste below) there was a small fire at the time:

A club Spokesman said today: "Oliver Bernard has singed a contract and joined us on a free transfer."

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Not sure why he would want to turn the contact down. If he is 20 is there a possibility that Didier Domi had something to do with this transfer being set up. Did they play together for France at some stage and have remained buddies?

From Planet Football:

Bernard, 20, signed a one-year contract with the St James Park outfit after turning down his first professional contract at the French club.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

He's presumably turning the Lyon contract down because it's not good enough. Not enough pay, and I think it was also just a one year contract. French clubs aren't exactly top of the pay leagues.

Looking through some of the OL web pages, it seems he started off as a left winger - definitely plays on the left. Might not even be a defender.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Interesting. One report said he was a left back that could play in the centre of defence! A left winger would be a good acquisition, give Glass some competition and cheaper than Lua-Lua.

I suppose while Goma and Hughes are fit we have cover in the Caldwells and Beharall, while Marcellino and 'Loose cannon Dabs' get back to fitness.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Nowt about it in the Electronny Gill. I'm also a bit worried about this available-for-nowt bit, but I suppose we'll find out soon enough.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Wasn't Bernard the nurse in Blackadder II?

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson has swooped to add to his injury-ravaged defensive resources by capturing French youngster Olivier Bernard.

The 20-year-old Lyon defender has joined the club on a free transfer and could come straight into contention as United face the prospect of competing in the Premiership over the next two months with few options at the back.

"Olivier Bernard has signed a contract and joined us on a free transfer," a club spokesman confirmed today.

Robson has clawed back in the region of on this summer with the sales of players such as Howey, Duncan Ferguson, Alessandro Pistone, Silvio Maric, Temuri Ketsbaia and Paul Robinson, and has spent #11.5million on Carl Cort, Christian Bassedas and Daniel Cordone.

The cash he still has at his disposal is stored away in a war chest, but he has vowed to spend every penny if he feels it is necessary, and his next target appears to be Chilean central midfielder Clarence Acuna.

United were understood to be in talks with the South American's representatives today with a view to a #2million deal which would bring the player from cash-strapped Universidad de Chile.

Acuna would become the fifth South American player in Robson's first- team squad, alongside the injured Bassedas, Nolberto Solano, Diego Gavilan and Cordone, who has scored twice in his first three games for the club.

Sporting Life

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

"clawed back in the region of on this summer"

So it is the region of 'on' that Bobby gets these cheap outstanding players from. This typo must have been in the original press release and every article I read yesterday it was still there, a finer example of cut'n'paste you couldn't find.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000