Aston Villa are today being linked with a £4M move for Newcastle United forward Alan Smith.
Alan Smith – on his way to Villa?
The reports also suggest that Villa will face strong competition for Smith.
Newcastle paid £6M for Smith just a year ago, and it’s becoming clear that it will be difficult for him to get too many games at Newcastle once all our strikers are fit again.
Smith has certainly struggled at St James’ Park and he’s a much better player than he’s shown for long periods on Tyneside.
A £4M fee for Smith would be acceptable to the Tyneside club, even though they would be losing a couple of million, and only last weekend, it appeared that he could be moving to Everton.
But reports today suggest that Villa manager Martin O’Neill will offer him the chance to get his career back on track at the Midlands club.
Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has always said that England international Smith is in his plans for the new season at Newcastle, but we think they will be tempted with a decent offer for the player and £4M we think would do it.
Sunderland have also been strongly linked with a move for Smith, since Roy Keane knows first-hand what the player is like at Manchester United, where they played together.
We fully expect Alan to move on before the end of August.
Comments welcome.
44 comments so far
DanToon
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Comment #1Good.
sweendog
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Comment #24mill . .snap their hands off .. unfortunately he’s lost his confidence and he hasn’t got back to being a good striker .. replace him with Derdiyok .. thats good business.
RossNe5UFC
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Comment #3i totally agree sweendog, i think he might be able to get his career back but not at newcastle, altho i wish him well if he goes
Ross
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Comment #4i have this horrible feeling that if we sell him to someone like villa or everton, he’ll find form again and we’ll be left sitting wondering how the hell it happened.
however, look at the other side of the argument. that picture ed has used was clearly taken from the sampdoria game?..because he looks to be celebrating and well..he’s only found the net for us once.
jay b
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Comment #5hooray, a few articles 2 run my beedys over! i was getting bored, lol! I was worried Ed’s fingers may have worn away with excessive typing, keep up the good work fella
itoons
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Comment #6the sooner we get shot of him the better. He’s got the touch of a rapist
Ryan
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Comment #7Id carry him back for that, although I feel if he gets one goal for us confidence would ooze.
Hmmmm….
jay b
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Comment #8let smith go, only if we have a replacement. i think he has the ability, just not the confidence
mozza
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Comment #9i’d let him go for 4mil no probshe never looks like scoring or creating and i’d like to replace him with cisse, who has power,pace and scores goals, martins and cisse up front would terrify defences
filthy mag
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Comment #10I think it’s a real shame that he has fizzled out. If he was scoring then I think we would see a whole different player. That aside I think he needs to go. A change of location would probably do him the world of good. (and us!)
raamsoon
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Comment #11hey ed. what about young Aaron Spear. what’s going on? i found out that he rejected bid from nufc. is it true?
Sidger
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Comment #12I don’t see why Villa would sign Smith. They’ve already got Carew up front and have got Harewood as a replacement. Smith hardly is capable of being a step in for Ablonggahar?? or Young.
I’d take a direct swap for Harewood. Not the best player but better than Smith and would be cheaper wages I would assume
Nick Dryden
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Comment #13Sadly I don’t know what’s happening with KK.
We should be absolutely biting their hands off, but I know KK will reject it. Sadly maybe that is the difference between him and a truly successful manager like Fergie ( though I hate to admit that!)
Knowing when to get rid and overook sentimentality is a talent, which KK doesn’t seem to have, even when the evidence is right in front of him:
Smith plays = we lose !
Smith as a striker = no goals
Smith as a midfielder = no assists, dangerous free kicks and yellow / red cards.
Being good in the changing room, giving 100% and being a good trainer deosn’t mask being utterly useless (admittedly now afer a bad injury which Fergie realised)
If we got rid of Smith and Barton we would save 24M in wages in the next 4 years and keep a good reputation.
Smith and Barton out,
Collocini, Derdiyok and Mattias Fernadez in.
NOT HENRY !!!!!!!!!!
jay b
Aug 12, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Comment #14aaron is in the squad according to wiki. i think it is good policy to keep the younger lads transfer activity quiet, imagine being 15 and having 4 or 5 top clubs after you and it all being documented in the press. big decision and a lot of pressure for someone so young!
mozza
Aug 12, 2008 at 1:11 PM
Comment #15i was just typing how sick i am of seeing that cpu page and how whenever i send a post it drives me mental when i see that page, guess what i sent the post and what do i get, the ******* cpu page arghhhhh i cant add a *******third time to that fourth , fith and a sixth, am gona end up with a twitch like herbert lom in the revenge of the pink panther at this rate
Scotty
Aug 12, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Comment #16lol nick dryden, wat u say is crap! summed up by “not henry”. oh n gettin m.fernandez? u must be anotha football manager fan u mug. yeh smith should go n im sure kk knows he wudnt play in a full strength team. however people booing him was an absoloute disgrace…once again! im sick of it and all the fans who take part should be ashamed. booing one player whether he deserves it or not doesnt effect that 1 player it effects the whole team. Sadly this wont be the last time our “fantastic” support will take part in such fickle out crys.
get behind the whole team! and that includes barton wen he comes back aswell.
we are meant to be football supporters first and foremost.
holtenderinthetoon
Aug 12, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Comment #17As a villa fan who lives in newcastle, ive seen a lot of smith this year and i agree he hasnt shown anything like the ability he had at leeds n manu. But maybe O’neill cud b the man to get his confidence back up. Still i wud rather we took the 4m, add another 5m n stole milner. Gud look next year, hope u get uefa spot but not at our expence!
Edd Case
Aug 12, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Comment #18I hate to say this but it’s now half past one, still nothing from the club…
If there’s no announcement by 1500 today, then all this wonderful talk of big signings is just that, talk…
No sign of Big Willie….?
MMNUFC
Aug 12, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Comment #19Big will your reputation is riding on this!
bailey
Aug 12, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Comment #20Have to admit that before he came to NUFC I was a big supporter of Smith both with Leeds and MANU. When he scored that powerful header in the friendly at the Park last season I thought that was a starter for 10.
Dont think he is really a bad player but obviously not going to cut it for us. Really disgusted at the booing as he has never been any bother or lacked commitment even if the latter was not good enough. Like others I also think he will come good elsewhere.
geordiewannabefromwales
Aug 12, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Comment #21wen is this big announcement hapnin by the way? apparently ther was gona be sum announcement to the media etc today?
if ther actualy is gona be, does anyone know if it’ll be aired on Sky Sports, and wen it’ll happen pls?
KevinKeegansWife
Aug 12, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Comment #22Nah mate it’s tomorrow i’ve heard.
toonfan1
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Comment #23geordiewannabefromwales- the announcement looks like a dud. no one is guna be unveiled today. EDIT: sorry anynufc- didnt realise it was you.
scott9
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Comment #244m hahahaha we wud bight there hand of he is worth about 1.5
KevinKeegansWife
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Comment #25Erm mate i’ve just posted a comment above you, it does say “awaiting moderation” like so maybe it hasn’t shown up.
TerryMacsPerm
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Comment #26You’ve taken a hit today Ed!!!
DH7 Mags
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Comment #27Now all. Here is something for you all to read. Ed. You may want to post something about this.
NEWCASTLE United owner Mike Ashley has given more fascinating details of his Toon takeover.
Ashley has revealed how he ended up buying Sir John Hall’s stake in the club and why he believes the Magpies are the one of “the Premier League’s jewelsâ€.
The billionaire tycoon says he was shocked by the state of the club’s finances when he took the helm and tells how more than £25m is still owed to other clubs for past transfer deals.
Ashley has hit back at claims he only wears his black and white shirt and sits with the Toon Army as a gimmick, saying he feels the same frustrations they do.
And he denies ever having showdown talks with Kevin Keegan, as he explains how the manager’s relationship with Dennis Wise works.
Ashley’s full interview is published in Newcastle United’s new official magazine, which is available in shops now.
———————————————————
ASHLEY has revealed the mechanics of his Toon takeover.
“It was the quickest I’ve ever done a deal of that size – we’re talking only a few days. I was told there was an opportunity to acquire Sir John Hall’s stake in Newcastle United, that he may be a seller but only if somebody acted without any delay because he didn’t want to cause any form of disruption for the club.
“The last thing Sir John wanted was a long drawn-out affair because he feared that wouldn’t be good for Newcastle United.
“The deal was put to me on a Saturday. By the Monday, in advance of speaking to Sir John, I’d deposited the equivalent of money we hoped he would accept for his shares at the lawyers and on the Tuesday the deal was effectively done.
“By Wednesday (May 23, 2007) the announcement was public and that was the first anyone, including the media, knew about it. Once I was told about it, it was done very quickly. Sir John was ready to act if I was and it was a very straightforward process.
He adds: “Maybe I could have bought a smaller club, but it just wouldn’t have been the same challenge. It’s like settling for the high jump when really you want to do the pole vault – you want more excitement so you go higher.
“I was being offered the chance to own one of the jewels, one of the diamonds of the Premier League. There was no hesitation, why would there be?â€
———————————————————
ASHLEY says he was surprised by the state of Newcastle United’s finances when he took over.
“Financially, the club was in a difficult position because I really do think that it had over-extended itself.
“We first heard about the potential sale on a Saturday and had done the deal by the Wednesday, so if you are asking if we did due diligence before buying then the answer has to be no.
“But would I change anything about that process? No. Do I regret anything? Absolutely not. What I will add is that one of the most unfortunate things about Newcastle United finances at the time was the amount of money still owed on players signed in comparison to the amount of income that was due off players who had gone.
“There is still £27m net to pay on transfers that were done before I came. So probably in the latter years before we came in could you argue that the club was beginning to lose its way. It has also already taken upfront payments from commercial deals and sponsorships which didn’t help us at all.
“It seemed as though the club was in a very downward spiral, one it would have found very hard to come out of.
“Apart from the purchase of the club and the associated costs that come with that, I’ve put in a further £100m to reduce debts and expect no interest is paid on that. Yet still we have the outstanding debt of the monies still owed on player transfers.â€
———————————————————
Why I sit with the fans
ASHLEY has told why he loves sitting with the Toon Army in his black and white shirt.
“I wear my strip and I go in with the fans because that’s how I’ve always gone to football and I enjoy it.
“Nothing beats the atmosphere of being in with the fans.
“The fans who make the away trips are so fanatical every game feels like a cup game and it’s tremendous to be part of it.â€
Asked how he feels when the supporters react negatively to the team’s performance, he added: “Honest answer? There were times last season when the fans were singing certain things at certain games and I wanted to join in, I really did.
“I feel like they do. I’m in with the fans, and if we are not playing well I take this side because I’m thinking to myself: ‘How can this be? We are Newcastle United and we should be doing better than this’.â€
——————————————————— How I get on with KK
ASHLEY has revealed how he came to recruit Kevin Keegan as manager and gives his view on the club’s structure.
“Again, it all happens so quickly. And it was another no-brainer. I took a call from someone who said ‘do you realise Kevin Keegan may be interested in the Newcastle United job again?’
“At first I thought it couldn’t be true. I was out of the country but my reply was ‘if he is interested then tell him I’ll meet him anywhere as soon as I get back’.
“It couldn’t have been an easier choice.â€
Asked about how Keegan’s role fits in with that of Dennis Wise, he said: “Kevin is a great manager and he is happiest working with the players.
“But there’s so much involved in running a club that you must make sure people aren’t spread too thinly. How could Kevin devote all his time to the first team if he also had to look after the Academy? That’s where Dennis Wise comes in.â€
geordiewannabefromwales
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Comment #28nevr mind. if we get warnock ill be happy 🙂
scoundrel days
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Comment #29I think BigWillie and co are still quietly confident and just waiting for it to happen.
Then they will be on here sucking up the credit. 😉
Frankieboy
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Comment #30KEEP SMITHY.
remember the hammering at Old Trafford, he was hurt by that. What about those who did not give a monkeys f*?#k some of which have already departed.
Yeh we agree it hasn’t happened for Smithy yet but he will come good given the opportunity.
AndyNUFC
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Comment #31I’ve posted a couple comments just there but as “KevinKeegansWife”, are my comments not showing up?:S
k-man
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Comment #32Maybe BigWill and co. are working for NUFC’s marketing department. Their job is to attract more people to the opening day, and make lotsa fuss around the club again.
scoundrel days
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Comment #33BigWillie always updates if there has been a change of plan and he hasn’t so it must still be on people!
DH7 Mags
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Comment #34any idea’s to who these 3 players are supposed to be, well one will be coloccini, but the other 2?? if this annoucement is to happen, not holding my breath.!!!
kajman
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Comment #35guys forget big announcments…i want one that says we’ve signed colo….not looking very good lads ….seems we aregoing to be a laughingstock
ToonWhitters
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Comment #36DH7 Mags – great post there from Ashley! I don’t think this announcement will happen now and we may never hear from ‘big willie’ again… colo would be a good enough announcement for me:)!
harrier
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Comment #37i thought he said 15:00 ish
Bmore
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Comment #38It will be all done tomorrow at the opening day I would imagine.
I see Villa are linked with Joe Cole – especially if Robinho signs from Madrid. Now he is a KK type of player.
dan
Aug 12, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Comment #39Big Willie and AndyNUFC.
We’re still waiting.
Warnock is no MAJOR signing and even that is just speculation.
AndyNUFC
Aug 12, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Comment #40Dan I’ve said repeatedly that tomorrow is the day they’re revealed, and personally I will be GUTTED if one of them is Warnock.