Quoting Barca general manager who says theres just the players negotiations to be completed now...

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Answers

Does tis mean the deal for the Frenchman has collapsed.

Surely we wont get them both

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Personally i'd be happy if the deal for the frenchman fell through...but then again I'm odd! I was happy with signing Gary Speed and even reasonably happy with Bellamy :))

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

I too have your reservations over the French thing Gavin, buty after reading that I'm desperate for us to sign him. Shepherd has said he wants both. Not bad. 7 out of 10 Frederick.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

its down to BZ, who isn't quite ZZ

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Geting both would give us a great squad for the new season . It'll give the whole team and the fans a huge ray of optimism.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Was going to write to say I couldn't find it but - yep - it's on page 311.

I say that because there's b*gger all about it the regionional sport pages (390+). They lead with a Boro story yet a bloody gain, and the only news pertaining to Newcastle is along the lines of "I hope we win on Saturday" says O'Brien.

FWIW there's nowt in today's Journal either except some filler stuff the gist of which is "Bellamy's worth 6 Million, honest Guv" says Lee.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Why are these signings taking so bliddy long to sort ? It's starting to look as if we'd be better off forgetting the whole business for the time being, and gambling on doing well enough with what we've got, to qualify for Europe and hope that will be enough of an incentive to get the players we're after to make up their minds.

Are other clubs in the prem, other than those already in Europe, having the same problems ?

What chance have the majority of clubs against the 24 mill for Veron and the 20odd mill for Lizerazou that could be forked out by the same club.

Do the prices affect the odds that buying a particular player will be a success. I mean is it more likely that paying 20 odd million for a player will be more of a guarantee that he will do the business, than would a player costing a quarter of that ?

Okay, on the surface, it looks as if that was a daft comparison to make, but what puzzles me is, what do the people doing the buying take into account when deciding whether or not to go for a particular player ? Seems like a bliddy expensive gamble to me, if basically that's all it ever is.

Or is it just glorified 'keeping up with the Joneses' ?

Am I worrying needlessly ?

Should I go and have a lie down in a darkened room ?

Would counselling help ?

Is there medication that would help ?

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Just cough while I hold you, young man - ooohh, young man!

Today's Journal reports that Laurent Roberts linked up with PSG at their summer training camp in Spain yesterday after assuring supporters he is still prepared to sign a new deal with his current Club rather than complete a £9.5mm move to Tyneside!
Who knows what goes on inside the heads of these guys.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

When you're forking out millions of pounds for someones services, you have to be 100% sure that you're doing the right thing, as does the person who we intend to sign. I'm sure all other clubs go through the same problems sorting out their new aquisitions.It's very frustrating dor the fans, but probably more stressfull for the players and the negiotiators of the deal.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

you're sounding like David Icke Riky, i doubt Robert ever stresses about anything other than what swiss bank account to go with.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

I get the feeling that the majority of people on here are for Zenden , because he's Dutch, and against Robert, because he's French.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

IF Robert said this it will surely mean he will have signed by the weekend!

Do PSG want to let him go... or is he hedging his bets in case the deal falls through?

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

its getting on my nerves, tell them both just to get stuffed

NEWCASTLE UNITED appear to have made the signing of Barcelona winger Boudewijn Zenden a priority as the proposed move for Laurent Robert falters. The Magpies have been chasing the 24-year-old Dutchman for over a year and they are hoping to beat French outfit Lyon, who also agreed a fee with Barca, to the player's signature.

The former PSV Eindhoven star has been told he is surplus to requirements at Camp Nou and that he can leave as Barca try to recoup some money from their large transfer spending spree.

The Catalan club's vice-president Angel Fernandez revealed that the club had "closed the sale of two players" though he did not name the departing duo.

Spanish sources claim the two players being off-loaded are Zenden and Portuguese international winger Simao Sabrosa, who is moving to Benfica in a £10 million deal.

The transfers will be made public if the players' respective personal terms have been agreed.

However, this may present an obstacle for the Tynesiders as it is understood they have had difficulty in contacting the player.

Lyon remain in the hunt for his signature and fresh talk from France suggests Vikash Dhorasoo could move to Camp Nou in exchange for Zenden.

Magpies boss Bobby Robson knows all about the qualities of Zenden having lined up his transfer to Barca from PSV Eindhoven during his time as chief scout at Camp Nou and he hopes he can provide the service for front duo Alan Shearer and Carl Cort next season.

No fee has been revealed, but Zenden is expected to meet Newcastle officials to discuss personal terms with the club, hoping to wrap up a deal soon, providing he can be persuaded to consider the switch to the North East of England.

The left-sided star prefers to join a club in the Champions League and it is believed he is not keen to move to Newcastle, preferring to wait for offers from elsewhere, or see out the remaining two years on his contract.

It is also being claimed in Catalunya that Chelsea are mounting a late bid for the £7 million-rated ace's signature, with his father and adviser, Pierre, admitting the most lucrative contract on offer should be enough to tempt his son into joining that club, something which could benefit Newcastle.

Should the wide man agree on a move to St James' Park he will become the third new arrival on Tyneside following Craig Bellamy from Coventry and Robbie Elliott from Bolton.

Zenden is rumoured to be seeking close to £1 million net a season, with his father said to be due to receive a comission of £385,000.

Paris Saint Germain star Robert was an alternative target but Luis Fernandez has made it clear he does not want the French international to leave.

"Laurent is not for sale," he stated. "To leave PSG during the year of the World Cup would not be the best thing for him.

"Here, I am very content with his state of mind. We need him in any case."

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

the situation regarding Robert does appear somewhat bizzare - seemingly the manger and chairman of PSG do not communicate or are taking the piss out of the Toon.

Madness. All of it.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

it seems like the manager has put a word in his ear and the chairmans

all i can conclude is either they couldn't find a replacement, Angel? or Robert is damn fantastic OR Didier has had a word...

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

my england is awfull

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Zenden deal reported on 5-live

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Teamsquak running the Zenden to Chelsea story along with him interesting Arsenal and Liverpool.

Were going to miss out on both arent we.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Yes Pete, 'fraid we are.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Mackems having a right old dig - pointing out Roberts' decision to stay with PSG and Zenden likely to join Chelsea

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

My money's on Robert and Kiko.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Robert - no chance me thinks

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

The Beeb also confirming (12.08 CET) that the Zenden deal is in place.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

now they are saying Kiko is a done deal-ish, bbc

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Ananova is now quoting YBR as saying he doesn't think we'll get either!! ahh the magic roundabout....

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Ceefax are now saying, straight from the horse's (YBR's) mouth, that both the Zenden and Robert deals have fallen through. YBR comment is that it is slightly disappointing.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

bollocks to them both,

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

almost inevitable

and Freddie not seemingly to blame for this one

whers Zenden off to then...Chelsea??

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

from bob...

Robson pessimistic over targets

Bobby Robson admits his hopes of signing Boudewijn Zenden and Laurent Robert are fading.

The Newcastle boss has had bids totalling £17.5million accepted by Barcelona and Paris St Germain for the duo.

However, despite reports in Spain that Zenden is ready to make the move to St James' Park, Robson is growing increasingly frustrated with his failure to make any real headway.

"It's slightly disappointing in a way," he said. "We've put good money - and I mean good money - on the table for two outstanding players without any success.

"We will continue. It's a long summer - it's getting shorter, but it's a long summer and we will persist in trying to do what we have to do.

"We're just trying to strengthen in a couple of positions that we need to strengthen. We've gone for big names and big money, and we're just not being lucky.

"I have to tell you, we've been trying to buy Zenden for six or seven weeks. We've done it properly.

"The chairman has been over to Barcelona and got permission, but he's not responded to our situation, and that's surprised me a little bit.

"He's on holiday now, I believe. We don't know where he is, but he's coming back at the weekend.

"The information we've got from people around him is that he's looking to go elsewhere, but from what I gather when I was in touch with Barcelona, they have had no financial offers for him from anybody. But they have from us and they will sell.

"Then others that we've tried for, at the moment, we're just waiting." eh?

Robson has already recruited former Coventry striker Craig Bellamy and secured the return of Bolton defender Robbie Elliott to St James' Park, and he has been impressed with both in training ahead of Saturday's Intertoto Cup clash with Sporting Lokeren in Belgium.

However, he is desperate to add a couple of big name signings to the squad to help restore belief that the Tynesiders can compete with the Premiership's elite.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Clear the air.

Well done Bobby. At least we know where we stand.

Time to forget Robert and Zenden and move on.

Seriously - however bad it seems would we want someone who has had the chance to sign for 6 or 7 weeks.

Where is this Kiko link from Swift?

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

something on 5live from Bobby - awaiting midday bulletin

sounded right down in the dumps

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Pete - where do I find 5Live?

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Is it hot on 606 and 693 AM?

I think the "dissapointed ........ good money on table" speach has already gone out.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

don't get down bob, their attitudes seem wrong, great acid test, at least Bellamy WANTS to play for us. I'd take that every time. THATS coming from me.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Thanks Rik.
BR quoted as saying "the Zenden deal is a dead duck". 5live said Zenden is now expected to stay at Barcelona!!
Didn't mention Robert.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

We'll I think this has got to be up there with the stevenage borough farce as far as egg on face etc!!! How come every other club in the world manages to sign players without every other club jumping on the bandwagon and hijacking the deal. This summer I have never known us being linked with so many players!! For once Id just like to hear that a press announcement has been called as the toon have signed a new player, without all this build up (including freddie reported that deals are almost done etc!!!). His words will come back to haunt us 'If anyone thinks that Newcastle's ambition is not to compete with the best in the world then this (Robert) bid proves what we mean' Very sad indeed, can you hear the laughter!!! AM :-(

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

I think we should draw a line on this thread and move on

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-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

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;- {)

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Beeb now saying:

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson has admitted that his hopes of signing Dutch winger Boudewijn Zenden are declining. Newcastle had agreed an £8m fee for the player with his club Barcelona, but he does not appear keen on a move to St James' Park.

Robson said the deal was now a "dead duck" and added: "We have had a poor response from him.

"The boy is a bit reticent about coming here. We've been trying to buy him for six or seven weeks.

"The information we've got from people around him is that he's looking to go elsewhere."

Also says that the Robert deal lokks to be unravelling.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

spend the 8mil on an image revamp?

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001