According to this morning's Journal the Toon have pulled out of negotiations for Marcus Gayle, with the Clubs respective valuation still around £750k apart.
It seems likely that the Toon have increased their offer to say £1.75mm, with the Dons holding out for £2.5mm.
BR says that with Shola Ameobi having done so well, Kevin Gallagher almost ready for a return, and Carl Cort only two weeks away, that he feels we can afford to take a chance on getting through without a new face.

On the other hand, could this simply be a negotiating position by the Toon?

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2001

Answers

The Ronnie tonight reports "Sheffield Wednesday manager Paul Jewell is ready to move for Newcastle United midfielder super-Dessie Hamilton, and that this could pave the way for Belgian striker Gilles de Bilde to move in the opposite direction to St James's Park.
United took a look at De Bilde during his time on loan at Villa but Robson decided that in the likes of Daniel Cordone and Lomana Lua Lua United have strikers of equal ability, but now that Jewell is showing an interest in Hamilton the United boss is having a re-think - and a swap deal could be on the cards with Wednesday also receiving a nominal amount".

This looks to me like idle speculation without any real foundation.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2001

Like you say Clarky, probably nowt in it but sounds OK to me if it came off.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2001

I don't really like the look of De Bilde - looks a miserable get and has missed sitters in every game I've seen him playing in this season. However...

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2001

Gayle NOT in Wombles side or on the bench, mmmmmm......

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2001

Quinn not in Sheff Utd squad!!

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2001

That is VERY interesting information Pete - I've had a feeling the Gayle deal is still 'on' and that the Toon's stance has been purely a negotiating one.
Apparently the Dons need to raise some money, and I really can't see them getting more than £2mm for a 30 yr-old. I suspect if the Toon up their bid to that amount we'll get him.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2001

coupled to the fact that neither player would have been available tommorow anyway and so no rush necessary.

Any feelings toward either player. Not seen much of them.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2001

Well, Gayle's getting a bit long in the tooth but he's actually a player I've long admired - tall, strong, brave and pacy. Very Wimbledon - a real handful.
It all depends on the price - as BR also seems to be saying. I feel the Toon have the price correct at £1.5mm, and certainly given his age I couldn't see paying more than £2mm for him.
He can play wide left as well as up front, so he could be a useful squad player for a couple of seasons, as well as providing some immediate cover for AS/CC.
I'm really worried that if Ameobi picks up a knock we'll be rushing CC back before he's ready, so I'd be happy to see us sign Gayle.

I've only seen Wayne Quinn play once - against us in the FAC Semi at OT a couple of seasons ago when he had a terrific game. I'm rather concerned why he's still at Sheff Utd. after all this time, and whether his performance that day may have been just a one-off.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2001

Really hope this deal comes off. We'd at last have 4 decent strikers incl Cort, Al, Lua. Was speaking to a levelheaded Wimbledon fan who goes to nearly all their games and he said Gayle wud be a fantastic signing for a couple of million. Very hard working and committed in particular aswell as a generally very good player. Id asked him about Cort earlier in the season and he said that although very good, hed not shown much enthusiasm to save Wimbledon from relegation. Even if Al+Cort were fighting fit at present i still reckon this wud be a fine signing and cud sort our attack out for the next few years- 2 experienced and 2 up and coming strikers.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2001

Coventry are being linked today with a £4mm bid for John Hartson. This could solve Wimbledon's immediate cash problems, and scupper our bid for Marcus Gayle!

"He who dithers.............."

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2001

"United took a look at De Bilde during his time on loan at Villa but Robson decided that in the likes of Daniel Cordone and Lomana Lua Lua United have strikers of equal ability, "

That's called damning with faint praise, isn't it?

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2001