Newcastle United: Newcastle

I think Robson should go myself. He is looking old and battered and another prem campaign might finish the ol bstard off. Yeah once shearer goes they will be in trouble. I heard they might go in for Beattie to replace him.

hmmm...Beattie is hardly the replacement and it may be premature but...I can never see him developing to that level.

You're right about Bobby though, he ought to bow out because we all know we're going to see the poor bstard keel over on the touch line one day, that's hardly the way we'd want to remember him.

Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson has admitted he is keen to sign Benfica and Portugal right-back Miguel.

But while Robson admits he will be watching Miguel closely during Euro 2004, he has conceded he might need to break the bank for the highly-rated 24-year-old.

Beattie is definatly not a replacement for Shearer, but who is?

Thye will find it hard to replace them. It looks like Robson has one more season and that might spur them on a bit to do well. If they make a couple of good signings they could be a surprise package in the comming season.

Newcastle are reported to have had a bid for Ajax defender Hatem Trabelsi turned down by the Dutch giants. The Tunisian defender's future is up in the air at present after he lost his court case against the club to allow him to leave on a free transfer this summer.

Trabelsi claimed he should be allowed to leave on a free transfer in the summer, but Ajax insisted they had an option in place to extend his contract until the summer of 2006.

Trabelsi will not be allowed to leave on a free transfer, but Ajax could be willing to sell him as they are unlikely to want to keep an unsettled player at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Newcastle United defender Andy O'Brien had agreed a new contract with the club.
The Irish international has not extended his deal - which runs until 2007 - but he has been rewarded with a pay rise.

The agent of Egypt striker Ahmed Hossam - better known as Mido - has admitted his client is almost certain to leave Marseille this summer, but a possible move to Newcastle is "a long way off".

The English Premiership outfit are leading the chase for his signature, and an unnamed Spanish Primera Liga club have also expressed an interest in the 21-year-old.

Although Mido's agent Christophe Henrotay insists that a deal to bring the player to Tyneside is still in its infancy, he admits that Mido's days in the south of France appear to be numbered.

Laurent Robert has vowed to stay at Newcastle - amid talk that the club wants to include him in a deal to bring Marseille ace Mido to Tyneside.

Reports in the North-East claim that Robert will be included in part-exchange for Mido - as long as Newcastle land Leeds youngster James Milner to replace the French winger.

But Robert insists he and Magpies manager Sir Bobby Robson have agreed he will see out the remaining two years on his contract with Newcastle rather than reunite with his former agent Pape Diouf, now general manager at Marseille.

Newcastle's England Under-21 striker Shola Ameobi has signed a five-year contract with the club which will keep him at St James' Park until 2009.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a fine season, scoring 10 goals in 41 games for the Magpies in the 2003/04 campaign.

Newcastle's St James' Park has been chosen to host England's friendly game against Ukraine on 18 August.
The match is Sven-Goran Eriksson's last chance to prepare for the start of England's World Cup qualifiers.

"We're looking forward to playing again in such a magnificent stadium, with such passionate fans," said Eriksson.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd added: "We will be very proud to welcome the England national team and our Football Association friends."


England begin their campaign to reach the finals in Germany in 2006 when they travel to Austria on 4 September.

St James' Park last hosted an England game when Eriksson's side beat Albania 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier on 5 September 2001 thanks to goals from Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler.

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Veteran Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed has vowed to stay and fight for his place at St James' Park next season.

The Wales captain has been linked with Leeds - in a mooted part-exchange for James Milner - and Fulham.

But Speed insists he will still be a first-team fixture at St James' Park next season - and wants to play on at Newcastle beyond next summer.

Midfielder Hugo Viana has revealed he is hoping to leave Newcastle this summer.

Reports in Portugal suggest United manager Sir Bobby Robson is interested in swapping Benfica defender Miguel for Viana, who has failed to live up to expectations on Tyneside.

Newcastle United are stepping up their attempts to seal the double capture of James Beattie and James Milner.
Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson is desperate to add new faces to his squad following the club's failure to secure UEFA Champions League football last term.

The veteran coach is chasing a right back with Hatem Trabelsi, Miguel and Danny Mills all having been linked with moves to St James's Park.

However, Robson has also made fresh attacking talent a priority and wants to continue his policy of bringing young British talent to Tyneside.

Leeds have made it clear they regard England Under-21 star Milner as part of their future, and have already rebuffed advances from Tottenham for the 18-year-old.

The Yorkshire's club's crippling financial situation means, though, that they will not be able to turn down a substantial bid, and Newcastle are ready to test their resolve with a 3 million offer.

Southampton will be far more reticent about selling Beattie, but Robson sees the former Blackburn striker as the man to take over Alan Shearers's mantle when he retires at the end of next season.

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James Milner is reportedly on the verge of signing for Newcastle after rejecting an improved deal from Leeds.

The talented 18-year-old was expected to stay at Elland Road after rejecting a 5m move to Spurs, but talks over a new deal have broken down.

James Milner is due to arrive at Newcastle on Thursday morning for a medical and is expected to clinch his move from Leeds later in the day.

The 18-year-old winger is on his way to St James' Park after the Magpies agreed a fee of around 3.6million with Leeds.

That figure could rise according to how many first-team appearances Milner makes in his first season with Newcastle.

He has opted to move to Tyneside after rejecting a more-lucrative contract offer from Tottenham at the end of last season.

Patrick Kluivert is reportedly in talks with Newcastle United regarding a move to St James' Park.

Dutch international Kluivert is available on a free transfer, having been told he has no future at Barcelona, and he is looking to secure a lucrative move away from Camp Nou.

Having already experienced life in Italy, during a disappointing spell with Milan, the forward is leaning towards a move to The Premiership.

A host of clubs have been linked with the 28-year-old, including Middlesbrough and Liverpool, but it appears as if The Magpies are in pole position.

Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson has admitted that a move for Portugal defender Miguel looks unlikely after Benfica hiked up their asking price.

Robson is big fan of the right back and had hoped to bring him to St James' Park next season.

Newcastle had made an offer for Miguel, but it appears that following his exploits at Euro 2004 Benfica will want a massive fee for his services.

Newcastle will not be held to ransom as they attempt to push home their interest in Barcelona hitman Patrick Kluivert.

The 27-year-old Dutchman has been in United's sights for some time as they attempt to find the long-term successor to Alan Shearer.

Kluivert's claim that he would one day like ply his trade in England has encouraged the St James' Park club in recent months, although until now, their approaches have been tentative.

They have now made a move but chairman Freddy Shepherd insists that negotiations which began in Portugal during Euro 2004 are still at an early stage, and the player's wage demands could yet prove the stumbling block.

Watford have completed the signing of teenager Andy Ferrell who left Newcastle at the end of the season.

The left-footed midfielder has a one-year contract with the Hornets.

Ferrell, 19, had been unable to break into the Magpies first team although he had impressed for the reserves throughout the season.

Newcastle and Middlesbrough may have as little as a week in which to make their move for Patrick Kluivert as the Dutch striker prepares to consider his options.

The Magpies have confirmed that they made an initial approach to the 28-year-old Holland international's representatives in Portugal during Euro 2004, while the player's agent Paul Foortse on Wednesday revealed that the Teessiders followed up their interest with an approach on Tuesday.