Monday, January 26, 2009

Liverpool Star Keane Off To Newcastle: Transfer Talk


Metro's Danny Griffiths digs deep to bring you all the latest transfer stories, rumours and gossip from around the country.

Newcastle United may be the shock destination for Robbie Keane after he has become a square peg in a round hole at Liverpool.

The Magpies need a big impact player to replace Michael Owen who appears set for a summer move to Manchester City.

And Keane, left out the FA Cup draw with Everton yesterday, is the type of energetic, high-octane player to excite the Toon Army if the Tyneside club steers clear of the relegation zone.

Newcastle may even strike while the iron is hot by making a move before the transfer window closes next Monday.

But Liverpool would have to swallow a significant loss on the £20m they paid Tottenham for the Republic of Ireland striker in the summer.

Keane, who stayed away from Anfield after he was not even given a place on the bench yesterday, faces a tough future.

It is difficult to see where he can go if he leaves Merseyside as he would not be a fit for Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal while Manchester City have just bought a replacement in Craig Bellamy and Everton do not have the cash.

Aston Villa may be interested but Liverpool would want to engineer a swap deal for Gareth Barry and that won't happen if Martin O'Neill's men qualify for the Champions League.

Villa would prefer to sign Daniel Sturridge from City and they are also interested in Eastlands midfielder Michael Johnson.

Spurs may welcome home the prodigal son but he has already shown he cannot play effectively alongside Jermain Defoe leaving Newcastle as his best bet if he is to leave his boyhood heroes and remain in the Premier League.

Manchester City star Robinho is back in town for showdown talks with manager Mark Hughes after his controversial exit from Tenerife training to fly home.

Chelsea will be watching developments closely and owner Roman Abramovich may sanction a move as he sends a signal to fans that he is still deeply in love with the club.

Tottenham remain busy with Sunderland's Pascal Chimbonda set to complete a £3m return to White Hart Lane if he passes a medical today.

It's a mystifying move as Spurs paid Rangers £8m for Alan Hutton last January and although he does not return from injury until April the hugely versatile Vedran Corluka has been an able deputy with Chris Gunter waiting in the wings.

Tottenham are also expected to complete the signing of Carlo Cudicini from Chelsea to provide cover for goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and they could offer Mexican star Giovani Dos Santos for Brazilian forward Fred.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is ready to send Wales international midfielder Jason Koumas to Cardiff City for Joe Ledley but Fulham are also interested after selling Jimmy Bullard to Hull.

Meanwhile, back on Tyneside and Newcastle are interested in paying £4m for Celtic defender Stephen McManus but Joey Barton will not be moving to Portsmouth after they boosted their midfielder by signing Hayden Mullins from West Ham and Pele from Porto this morning.

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