According to Ronnie:

Newcastle United have provided Bobby Robson with the money to buy a new striker.

Indeed, United only just failed to have a new face on the bench against Manchester United on Saturday when negotiations broke up on Friday afternoon.

But talks will reopen after the New Year holiday games and the transfer is still very much on.

And after United have been linked with several overseas strikers, the Chronicle can reveal that the target is in fact English.

He can play in a couple of positions up front and will not be out of place when Alan Shearer and Carl Cort finally return.

Qualification

United do have some breathing space because any new signing will not be available for tomorrow's Premiership match at Tottenham while Sunday's FA Cup tie with Aston Villa carries a seven-day qualification requirement.

However, I would be surprised if United do not have a new striker by the time Coventry City come to St James's on January 13.

United have been linked with several foreign strikers since the Chronicle revealed last week Alan Shearer was to have a knee op.

There is no way the likes of Dani or Dennis Bergkamp - he would only cost £10 million - could arrive at United in the current climate.

And it's no good Pierre van Hooijdonk saying he would like to play for United. For Robson soon lost interest in the Dutchman when he found out that while the player can leave Benfica on a free transfer there is the little matter of paying off the £5 million the Portuguese outfit owe Vitesse Arnhem.

United did look at Belgian striker Gilles de Bilde, who played against them in the Champions' League for PSV Eindhoven a couple of seasons ago. But word came back that de Bilde was no better than the strikers Newcastle already have in Lomana Lua Lua and Daniel Cordone.

There have also been reports linking United with Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison, whose goal knocked Sunderland out of the Worthington Cup last month.

United were actually keen on Morrison this time last year after head coach Mick Wadsworth spotted his potential in his short spell at Selhurst Park.

But instead United went for broke and paid £7 million to Wimbledon for Cort in the summer.

Now, I wonder who they mean and how much? Sheringham? Davies (is he English)? Morrison? Tesco?

-- Anonymous, January 01, 2001

Answers

I thought it was pleasing when the English bit came up. A player who comes in will probably adjust quicker than a foreigner and we need performances right away to continue the decent way we have been playing.

I can't imagine who this is though. Crouch from QPR? Palace won't release Morrison without a bid over 4 mill IMHO and we won't spend that (?). I expect nothing will be announced until after tonight's match.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

I hope there is some substance to this as, despite the resilience and spirit the lads have shown in the last couple of games, we do need a recognised forward. But who? I can't think of any obvious targets or anyone who we've been linked with of late. Only wish we had beaten Ipswich to Marcus Stewart.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Sergeii Rebrov, the ronnie have got the English bit wrong. From Team Twaddle "Discusions to continue tonight after the game between Spurs and Newcastle United. It is believed that the clubs are close to an agreement that will involve Alain Goma and six million pounds going to White Hart lane in exchange for Ukranian Sergeii Rebrov. The stumbling block seems to be Rebrov, who hasn't settled well in England. He would prefer a move to the continent."

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Interesting! BR is a declared admirer of this guy even though he hasn't settled in the PL. However, he is not a target man, and I'm not too sure how he would really help us in the immediate term without either AS or CC being fit to play with him. If the rumour is correct, we would also be weakened defensively by losing Goma - our best CB.

If there's any truth in this rumour then presumably Rebrov will not play tonight. If he does play against us I think we could forget it.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Jason Euell from Wimbledon?

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

What about this Lee Hughes chap at WBA - he seems to be forever scoring goals. I am surprised no one has come in for him.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

On the subject of WBA, I wish we had followed up the interest in Jason Roberts who looks a good signing. I think he only cost around 2.5 million and has scored around 12 goals. Pacy, Big and can finish.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Rebrov is surely too much of a gamble? If he has not yet settled in England how sure can we be that he will settle in Geordieland? (Despite the obvious superiority of that country it is still equidistant from his home) At £6m + one of our best defenders that's a big risk. I understand he has not reproduced the form which persuaded Spurs to buy him, so unless YBR knows for sure what's wrong with the lad and is sure he can put it right then he must leave well alone.

At that price he would be very expensive company for Domi. If we do go for him I'm sure YBR knows best.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

"We are hopeful of bringing in a new striker, but we are in no rush as we can't sign anyone in time to play in the Cup against Villa on Sunday."

This is a quote from Bobby on the Teamtalk web-site. Can anyone explain, apart from being cup tied to another club, why we can't register a player before Friday lunchtime and play him against Villa?

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

I was thinking of Roberts too. Other names from outside the Prem who might be within our measley budget:
Hayles (Fulham)16 goals this season. Can't see why Fulham would sell.
Ricketts (Bolton) 15. Supersub, scored again yesterday, but I think he's only just joined?
Dunn (Blackburn) 12. Possible - Blackburn need the cash by the sound of it
Macken (Preston)12. Don't know. Ex-Man U. Scored 25 last year.
Mooney (Watford)12. Didn't exactly set the prem alight, did he?
Roberts (West Brom)12. As discussed...
Asaba (Gillingham) 11. In 18 starts. Oh come on - imagine him, Cort, LLL and Ameobi in the same side. It'd be like the Harlem Globetrotters. Fantastic!
Bart-Williams (Nottm Forest)11. I think not
Euell (Wimbledon)11. Hmm, it's possible.
Roberts (Norwich)11. Top scorer & Player of the Season last two years. Signed a new contract. Nope.

Nationwide Division Two Harris (Millwall) 18. Highly thought of as I understand it
Forrester (Northampton) 17;Thorpe (Bristol City)17;Cureton (Reading) 15;Scott (Brentford)15;Butler (Reading)14;Stallard (Notts County) 14;Leitao (Walsall)12.

Bear in mind these are just top scorer lists, I haven't used any practical criteria to tout them as realistic possibilities, which some of them obviously aren't. By the same token there are plenty of names - like Jansen - who could be possibles but aren't on the list. Though the suggestion is we're looking at a 'new name'. So Dunn, Macken and Euell seem the likeliest from that lot. Mind you, Dunn and Euell have been touted before. Therefore - I deduce...we're signing Macken!:@)

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

De B - you need a week's notice to register a player for the cup. Which hopefully means Angel won't be playing for Villa.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

The siging of Macken would have some credibility as they have just signed Healy from Manure. I'd have doubts about signing anyone from the 2nd Div.

Jason Euell could be the most likely target as we have been linked with him in the past and the board will know what they have to pay to sign him.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Robson has been saying nice things about Rebrov today. Saying that he liked him when he was playing for Kiev, and that it can take 6 months to a year for a player to settle into another club.He also says that he expects Goma to leave as he wants to play for a big city club. There could be something in it.

I think that you have to register players 7 days before a cup match and so any signing couldn't play. Mind you he would want to ensure that the player in question wasn't cup tied. So will want them before friday.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Therefore - I deduce...we're signing Macken!:@)

-- The Geordie Jew

Good Grief! I must clean my glasses. Thought you said we were signing the Mackem

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Tommy Johnson?

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Min have you been drinking? I hope not because I'm relying on your Champ Manager recommendations!!

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

*hic*

no, but you've reminded me there's vodka in the freezer. cheers!

It was just a thought, not a hopeful recommendation. I think we need to set our sights a little lower, in order to soften the blow when the reality doesn;t match up to the speculation. Better to be overwhelmed than underwhelmed eh? ; ))

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Also: >Robson has been saying nice things about Rebrov today

He said similar things just before we played them last time. Admitted then we'd tried to sign him but not for £11m. As we're desperately short of CBs [as jonno and clarky pointed out], i can't see it being Rebrov p/x Goma. Suicidal move and YBRs got far too much NOUS for that.

David Johnson at Ipswich? Could even be Marcus Stewart, but then it could be, as Screacher mentioned, Albert Tesco, Harry Asda or Jimmy Sainsbury. Saw Sainsbury play once. For North Tyneside Jnrs vs South Tyneside Jnrs. Said we should've signed him then.... ;o)

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Dion Dublin?

don't bet against it

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

not yer taxi driver again Swift? ;)

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Bobby Zamora from Brighton.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Rod Wallace.

I hear Dusty Bin from TVs 3-2-1 is looking for work as well...

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

If he will still be a viable player once both Cort and Shearer are back we must assume it is someone with slightly different skills - perhaps someone smaller or more creative. Jansen?

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Chris Armstrong?

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

beardo,

Jansen IS the logical [and popular] choice i reckon, with the hint being that he can play when they're both fit. A Kevin Gallacher-type. But, we really could do with a target man with Shearer out. We've got Cordone and Luax2 for playing off a target man, but only Shola in that role at the moment. Who fits the all-round bill?

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

We need someone who is an established scorer as we already have prospects in Ameobi amd Lua-Lua. Zamora falls into that category unfortunately as he is the type of player we should be buying when we already have at least three established fit strikers to gently bring in.

Whoever we bring in now can rightly expect to be chucked straight in and there will be a deal of expectation for him to perform. Hardly an ideal situation but it's what we're in and looking at Bobby's other signings, whoever comes in will have the right attitude to the game.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

I thought about Zamora - I think Brighton have turned down a £1m from someone in the lower leagues...doesn't sound like a Shearer replacement to me.
If my infallible process of elimination is somehow proved wrong and it's not Macken(!), Dunn and Jansen at 'cash-strapped' Blackburn would be my tips. But once again, if it really is a player who's not been touted b4, that would rule out Jansen. In any case, where has this info come from? it seems an odd partly-specific rumour - English, not previously linked with NUFC, can play in two positions...but no name. Someone in the know is teasing us...
Dublin could be a credible shout.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Is the Dunn you are talking about David Dunn and if so I thought he was a defensive midfielder?

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Has Galaxy finally persuaded James Beattie to play for us? Bliddy hope so!

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

re: Dunn - yeah I think you're right, he is a midfielder - maybe I'm mixing him up with Duff - what happened to him? Anyway, I don't think he's that defensive, he's scored 12 goals so far this season!

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

12 goals but he takes the penalties and that 12 includes 4 penalties in one match if my memory serves me right! I think we're okay for central midfielders.

Blackburn wouldn't release Duff at any cost and quoted £8m for him. I can see them wanting rid of Janssen though, he is frustrating Souness by all accounts by not applying himself. In that case he doesn't sound like a Bobby signing.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Arsenal are apparently interested in signing young Watford striker, Tommy Smith.
Could BR also be interested perhaps?

BTW, Barcelona skipper, Guardiola, is available on a Bosman as from New Years Day. Can't see us being interested in him now - good player though.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

De Builder

'I can see them wanting rid of Janssen though, he is frustrating Souness by all accounts by not applying himself. In that case he doesn't sound like a Bobby signing.'

I would have said the same until we were linked to van Hoojdonk!

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

This mystery signing can't be that imminent....this thread has been going since yesterday ;)

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

No need to buy anyone till after the Villa match, although the sooner someone comes in the sooner they can get used to the team in training.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Did anyone say F%Wler...sorry

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

funny that. a scouser mate of mine just e-mailed me with the same story. case of 2 + 2 = 5 i think....

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

KITSON

You know it's true.

Cheques been signed.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

that was a thought that went through my head. It frightened me too much to post it though...

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Or that guy that went to Fullum... The French lad.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

IT'S SUTTON!!!

hehehehehehhehehe

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

Tre's been drinking as well! Is there something about this thread that attracts people who have been on a Leo Sayer?

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

Tony Cottee? Graham Fenton? Boss Hogg from the Dukes of Hazzard?

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

RRROSSSSSSCCCCCOOOOOOOOEEEEEE PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP CCCOLLLLLLLLTTTTRRAAAANNNNE

Flayiush, Flayiush!!

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

hyuk, hyuk!

ah, memories.....

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

BTW DB,

it's fully five minutes since i read that and i'm STILL laughing out loud....... made my day that has...!

;))

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

I was concerned nobody would get the Flayiush bit but by your reaction I reckon you have!

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

I wish we'd bought David Healy from Man United.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

David Platt is reportedly trying to sign David Johnson from Ipswich.

Out of favour at Ipswich but that's no disgrace considering Marcus Stewart is scoring regularly. Maybe we could buy him for £1.5-2 million? Unproven in the Premiership but has shown that he can score goals consistently in the Nationwide and if he can do that it has been shown by others that it is possible to carry the form into the Premiership.

Young and pacey as well, although not the commanding centre forward we may need. Our game plan will have to change and with the midfield of Acuna, Bassedas, Speed and Solano we have the necessary footballing prowess to unlock defences without hoofing the ball up front to a target man all the time, don't we?

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001