The Ronnie tonight reports that Josep Guardiola is looking for the equivalent of £60,000 per week to move from Barcelona. They report:

"Newcastle United will have to cough up wages of £3 million a year if they are to sign Barcelona skipper Josep Guardiola.
But Bobby Robson is still hot on the trail of the man who played under him at the Nou Camp.
Guardiola can leave Barcelona at the end of the season on a free. However this is balanced up by the fact that this is likely to be the tough-tackling midfielder's last move in football and he is obviously looking to cash in.
There is nobody at St James's Park at present receiving anywhere near £3 million - that's £60,000 a week - including top earner Alan Shearer".

They say there are reports that he has already agreed to join Parma provided they qualify for the CL - providing the very clearest indication of why he won't be coming to SJP.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

Answers

Response to Guardiola wants £60k per week

Considering he'd be on a Bosman that's not a ridiculous wage deal.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

Response to Guardiola wants £60k per week

Four years = £12M. Sell him after 3 and we'd get some back ;-)

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

Response to Guardiola wants £60k per week

Today's Mirror report that Guardiola has signed for Spurs. The Sun still maintain Bobby is hoping to persuade Guardiola to play for Newcastle.

Well if he would join Spurs, I see no reason, apart from location, why he wouldn't join Newcastle. I'm stillnot convinced he's the type of player we need.

Good passer of the ball when he's got the time but in the Premiership he won't get that time, also we need someone who is going to win the ball.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Response to Guardiola wants £60k per week

Sportal is carrying the following report:

Josep Guardiola's hopes of moving to London suffered a setback today as some of the capital's biggest clubs ruled themselves out of the race to sign the Barcelona captain.

Guardiola, who is available on a free transfer this summer, finds his options of a move to London diminished after Arsenal, Chelsea and Fulham all reportedly turned down the chance to sign the Spain international.

The news leaves Tottenham in the driving seat to sign the 30-year-old although the player's demands of £50,000-a-week may prove to be a stumbling block.

The lure of playing under former boss Bobby Robson at Newcastle United may see Guardiola miss out on London altogether.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Response to Guardiola wants £60k per week

When asked point blank if he was going to Newcastle, didn't Guardiola say "No"? Then again the press refuse to believe Dyer saying "No" about moves elsewhere, so why should they believe Guardiola.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Response to Guardiola wants £60k per week

You're quite right ciara. I've also seen several references suggesting Guardiola just doesn't rate Bobby as a coach, and yet we're still reading of the "lure of BR" in connection with him. Go figure!

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001