Rosenborg central midfielder Per Ciljan Skjelbred, who Newcastle were reported to be interested in earlier this week, is due to sign a contract extension with the club.
 Per Ciljan Skjelbred - 21 year-old Newcastle United supporter
On the surface, you would think that would dismiss any possibility of an imminent move to Newcastle United, but that doesn’t look the case to us, when you look at what has been said.
First of all, Per’s current contract has just 18 months to run, and any club wanting to buy him may use this as a leverage to get the transfer fee down.
So it’s within the Rosenburg club’s best interests, whatever happens, to have Per sign a new contract - there’s absolutely no harm in doing that and it’s a protection for Rosenburg.
The player’s agent said yesterday that Newcastle United had not formally made an approach yet, but then mischievously added that the player would consider a move if it was on the table.
The Norwegian club’s Sporting Director, Erik Hoftun, has in fact said that if a big offer came in for their rising star, they may consider letting him leave. Notice the emphasis we have given there to big and may.
But Hoftun said that the youngster’s intention was to stay at the Norwegian club, and that he will be signing a contract extension within two weeks.
Two weeks should give Newcastle ample time to make an offer, if indeed they are really interested in the player, who has been a Newcastle United supporter since he was a child.
Hoftun told Dagbladet yesterday:
“The situation looks good. He has not signed yet, but we expect him to sign within the next 14 days,”
“Per is a player we would like to keep. The day a club table a lot of money for him, we will consider it.”
Skjelbred, 21, has come through the ranks at Rosenburg, and as of March, 2007, had made 35 league appearances for the club since making his debut in 2004. He has played at least 5 times for Norway.
Loading ...
18 responses so far ↓
1 natedawg // Jul 6, 2008 at 8:28
ed really apreciate you puting these rumours and stories up. but dont think we really know who the toon are after , you have a difficult hobby lol
2 Ed Harrison // Jul 6, 2008 at 8:30
3 joe // Jul 6, 2008 at 8:33
in fairness we’ve been likned with every player in europe who wants a move. We won’t sign any of them. Our only signing so far wasn’t seen by anyone and neither will the next one.
4 Hadji // Jul 6, 2008 at 8:39
Tom Toon….I didnt know that Andres Vasquez is only 20 year old…not a bad prospect imo.
5 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 6, 2008 at 8:44
A wealthy construction company run by the family of terrorist Osama bin Laden has emerged as a front-runner to buy Newcastle United. (Mail on Sunday)
6 The Entertainers // Jul 6, 2008 at 9:23
@ Ever Seen a Mackem….
You can chose your friends mate, but not your family
7 The Entertainers // Jul 6, 2008 at 9:25
I think Ed makes a good point regarding if we did want this player, we’ve had ample time to sort it out!
My money is on another complete surprise transfer coming in
8 Ericles // Jul 6, 2008 at 9:29
Yet again - more and more press shite. Today we are supposed to be offered to the yanks. According to the Mail on Sunday NUFC is the target of Bin laden’s family. All rubbish aimed at the destabilisation of our club. When will these little mealy mouthed tow rags of the national press get it into their bony heads that NUFC and the toonarmy are not buying their shite anymore.
9 xfer // Jul 6, 2008 at 9:39
Hopefully we make another signing before the start of training tommorow.
Had a glimpse of him, good with ball, and looks comfortable as well. Not to mention he is also very young.
10 cupiddstunt // Jul 6, 2008 at 9:52
Hey Ed.. is Uros home the one in the middle of the pond or one of the smaller ones around the edge????
11 Hobs // Jul 6, 2008 at 10:19
Back to the transfer talk…
Norweigan clubs, and Rosenborg in particular hardly resists if a player gets an offer from a big forengin club.
Rosenborg has a history of beeing the way out to europe for norweigan players. During their 13 years of concecutive legague victories, they had an habit of buying upcoming players from the other clubs in the league, offering them champions league football and then letting them go when there was an offer from a big club.
The likes of Steffen Iversen (local lad) and John Carew are examples of that.
We’ll get Per Ciljan for a fair prize of maybe £1,5-3mill + some extras based on apperarances , european qualification and a percentage if we sell him.
I do think, as I’ve said before here that we’ll get him cheaper at the end of the year, and that it would be good for his progress to play the rest of the current season in Norway.
But I would really love to see him at Newcastle!
12 xfer // Jul 6, 2008 at 10:46
cupiddstunt, i was thinking the same. Haha, the one in the middle looks cool!
13 Sveinung // Jul 6, 2008 at 10:54
I feel like it’s time to have my say here. First off, I’m actually from the area where Rosenborg’s situated, therefore, I’m also a fan. On the other hand, I’ve been supporting Newcastle all my life too.
Might just as well give you some info: Per Ciljan Skjelbred is a hard working midfielder, who tend to play best as a central midfielder, but can also be used on the wings. He has the ability to run the opponent’s midtfield ragged. Ciljan also got great technique and knows how to get past a man. As a Rosenborg player he is used to take part in a very attacking-minded team, which would prove handy as King Kev’s g0t back in town.
The reason other teams haven’t launched any bids yet, is because the fact that he doesn’t score many goals scared them off. At least for now. And it’s true, Per doesn’t score that often, but he is somewhat always involved in the goals, either by being the one with the assist, or by masterminding the attack.
At last, I’d say that Per Ciljan Skjelbred would be a very clever signing from our side. It’s worth noticeing that he has also played quite a lot of games in the Champions League, and got a lot of experience, although he is still young.
Hope this was useful.
14 Leo // Jul 6, 2008 at 11:06
well if you look at all the fans of him and his club that commented on the first reports on hear they were all saying that he will stay for a couple more years to develop then he will leave…
they were obviously right
15 Yahya Ahmad // Jul 6, 2008 at 11:46
No! I wanted him to sign for Newcastle! he looks like a top player and is gonan be a star in the future!
16 KFroeland // Jul 6, 2008 at 12:12
Rosenborg have got two important games against Ekranas in the Intertoto Cup coming up. My guess is Kev, Dennis & Co. will be watching and that a decision will be made in the wake of these games.
17 Seymour Butts // Jul 6, 2008 at 13:05
he won’t sign his agent only said those comments earlier so he could get a better contract from rosenberg! if he mentions theres one or two clubs interested they’re going to give him a higher wage arent they its hardly a “veiled invitation”.
18 Tom_Toon // Jul 6, 2008 at 13:16
Sign him now.
Hadji - Vasquez of Zurich? No thanks.