We had reported yesterday that Newcastle were interested in signing Celtic captain Stephen McManus, and there is some more news about that potential deal today being reported in the Newcastle Journal.
Stephen McManus – £3M offer could clinch it
The 26-year-old is keen to leave Scottish football following a deterioration in his relationship with the Celtic fans, who have blamed him for the Glasgow club’s recent slump in form.
It turns out that Newcastle were approached by the Glasgow giants earlier this month, when they enquired about the possibility of a swap deal involving Newcastle’s Spanish full back José Enríque, but they lost interest extremely quickly when they were told the former Spanish Under-21 international was on more than £40K a week on Tyneside.
But it seems that Newcastle are still interested in pursuing the Celtic captain, with sources in Scotland last night saying that a bid of just £3M would probably be enough to bring the 6’2″ center-back to Tyneside.
What we have heard is that McManus is a dominant, no frills type center-back, who could do well at Newcastle, and would certainly add, at the very least, competition for places across the back four, which is the area we must get playing very well, if we are to survive in the Premier League this season.
We think McManus would be an excellent buy for £3M, because he also has good leadership abilities, and seems like he would be a welcome addition to the Newcastle defensive squad.
Comments welcome.
56 comments so far
Pons Aelius
Jan 26, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Comment #1Bring him in. Centre back is not exactly teh position that we need to strengthen but our squad is so small anyone is a bonus!
Toon_Sydney
Jan 26, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Comment #2can he play on the left?
azim
Jan 26, 2009 at 9:50 AM
Comment #3why we need to sign a player who has lost him form??
AussieToon
Jan 26, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Comment #4So let me get this straight, he is being blamed by Celtic fans for their drop of form, and we want him to come in to our team, into a tougher, quicker more brutal competition?
Brilliant, must be great, but at this point I will take another Bramble just to have numbers in….
What a shambles we have become….
By the way Happy Australia Day to my fellow aussies on this site, and well done to my Melbourne Victory on finishing on top in the A-League! C’mon Victory! 🙂
Tom
Jan 26, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Comment #5The guy is seen as a defensive liability by a number of Celtic fans, why in gods name do we want to sign him!? We don’t need or want another centre back (unless we somehow get Richards as part of the Given deal!) we need full back and centre mid cover!
THE MAGPIE
Jan 26, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Comment #6Enrique is on more than 40000 a week-WHY?
bowburnmag
Jan 26, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Comment #7I hate to say it but I agree with the negative vibes. Why is it recently we seem to be going for players out-of-form or who have fallen out with the boss or are injured. How many emotional and physical problems does one club need? Can we not just get out there and sign someone who is fit, keen, half-decent and emotionally stable? Of course I know the answer, it’s just very frustrating…..
Charlietoon
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Comment #8We need options and maybe he could be a decent one. We assume under this new regime that these players are not going to be on high wages or long contracts so lets see what happens.
Ericles
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Comment #9Not sure about this. Looks as though he is the type of defender we would need in the Coca Cola. And we are not going there. Where is the LB back-up? Perhaps we are taking on Raitala?
Wigaz
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Comment #10This lad is a quality CB! old school no messing about take man & ball type of player. As much as i like col how many times do you see him trying stupid little flicks & that in the box? not so much now but he is always on the wrong side when he’s one on one. I think Colo would would maybe play better at dm or sweeper. McManus would def tighten up our defence & as for him losing form he scored at the weekend so how is that? Seen him play numerous times against teams like Barca Milan & Italy holland france & he’s not looked out of place marking some of the best attacking players in the world. Lets give the lad a chance if he signs i’m sure he’d become a fan favourite much like killer was.
Toon_Sydney
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Comment #11AussieToon- Happy Aus day mate, congrats on melbourne , sydney are dog sh*t arghh
Nick 69
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Comment #12bowburnmag- cos out of form players who are disliked by the fans will come cheaper and will be the only players stupid enough to come here with our current plight
WesToon
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Comment #13@ AussieToon & Toon_Sydney
Morning Lads,happy aussie day
P.S sorry about the cricket though boys
Beat you in the tests & now the one dayers
Love it!!!!
hahahahahahah
shearermania
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Comment #14i thought adelaide clinched it………..you sure?
liambirchy
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Comment #15ebondo 3.5m
mcmanus 3m
mbia 10m
raitala 500k
di maira 7m
sturridge p/ex
out
given – 10m + sturridge
zoggy – 7m to villa
Will
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Comment #16What’s N’zogbia’s problem? he’s bleating again wanting to go to Villa now according to $ky $port$.
Someone needs to give him a good telling. He’s being allowed to damage our image and during a TRANSFER WINDOW, that will never be a good thing.
If i were in charge, he wouldn’t get paid. simple as.
Ericles
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Comment #17Sounds like Wigaz is worth listening to, compared to blokes like me who have hardly seen MacManus play. We do need some no-nonsense in the back four admittedly. Bugger cricket!
Pons Aelius
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Comment #18Anyone hear Charlie Nicholas on Sky the other day saying the Micah Richards could be available for £5m quid!?
I hope Kinnear was watching.
He’s immense when played at RB.
Toon_Sydney
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Comment #19westoon- In regards to test where still number 1 and regards to one day [LAST THREE WORLD CUPS BABY]
liambirchy
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Comment #20would villa do a carew – zoggy swap???
they have heskey now so maybe
Will
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Comment #2140k?
Is that real Ed?
And Allardyce and the self-made millionaire Ashley are meant to be shrewd businessmen?
Tom_Toon
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Comment #22McManus is dump!
Rather have Gokhan Zan on loan.
Whumpie
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Comment #23As you’d expect in January with a club in our situation, we can only really deal for people who are either in trouble where they are, or abroad and willing to go anywhere to get into the premier league. This chap fits into the former.
BUT – I read that Micah Richards may be available. If we’re going to sign someone who’s lost form, I’d rather it was a left-back.
Brettoon
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Comment #24Don’t know much about him tbh
Tom_Toon
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Comment #25Micha richards was never a realy good defender, he just had pace and atm he is overweight and has lost most it, rubbish.
AussieToon
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Comment #26shearermania #14
Yep, the Melbourne Victory clinched it with the victory over Wellington, went to the game, played pretty decent football, and adelaide drew with central coast so we finished on top!
Will be an interesting finals series, very close between adelaide and melbourne!
Toon_Sydney – yeah not a good season from your lot, Kosmina is to blame, but you’ll bounce back.
Anyway lads, happy australia day and Howay the lads!
WesToon
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Comment #27Toon_Sydney
AHAHAHAHA well put mate,touche(spelling)
mattyNUFC
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Comment #28agreed, Ericles.
havent seen much of him but he’s relatively young and if he can teach even younger enrique when to make those runs and when just to get rid of the damn ball, we’d be set.
goodnight from america boys! too much whiskey tonight!
Nick 69
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Comment #29micah richards has lost it? haha hes 20 yrs old FFS and has 11 england caps to his name, hes not even anywhere near finshed growing and learning as a player so how can he possibly have lost it, hes out of form but thats cos hes crap at CB but class at RB and thats where he needs to go back to playing
Whumpie
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Comment #30That bad, eh? Normally I’d like to see us get him back up to his best, but I don’t think we have time..
I JUST WANT A NEW LEFT BACK…
WAAAA!!!
Tom_Toon
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Comment #31Who said he’s lost it an d yes, I agree he is far and away better at RB. Still been absolutely useless this season and looks slow, he was never a great natural defender.
Pons Aelius
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Comment #32Nick 69 – totally agree
Tom_Toon – you have to give the lad a chance, he’s still only young and was fantastic in his first few games for England.
I agree he’s a bit heavy at the minute but all he needs is good coaching
Shot Bru
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Comment #33WesToon where you from?
Whumpie
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Comment #34Has anyone seen any glimmer of light that may indicate we’ve got a decent new LB on the way? Please? Anyone…?
(Except AO, of course)
Pons Aelius
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Comment #35Sorry Whumpie, I’ve heard nothing linking us to any left backs yet
Apparently that Raitala can play there, but he could be rubbish fot all I know of him.
WesToon
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Comment #36Im from Joburg Shot Bru,i can tell by ur name that you are South african to,where you from??
Shot Bru
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Comment #37From Newcastle originally but lived in Durban most of my days. Live in Scotland now, are you still in Joburg?
super.trooper
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Comment #38Michelle Mcmanus would be a cheaper alternative more in line with the clubs transfer spending and wage structure. She would also be more realistic.
WesToon
Jan 26, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Comment #39WOW Shot Bru,wish i was you mate!! Been to Newcastle a couple of times to watch the Toon.
But yea still in Joburg,just came back from The durban area(South Coast,Margate) still as beautiful & hot as ever!!
HINT HINT,any1 got a job for me in Newcastle?? HAHAHA
WesToon
Jan 26, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Comment #40@ super.trooper
Defoe = sold 7-10 Million
Defoe = Bought back 15 Million
HAHAHAHAHAH
Chimbonda = Sold 6 Million
Chimbonda = Bought back 10 Million
HAHAHAHAHAH
Paul Robinson = Sold 5 Million
Paul Robinson = Bought back 12 Million????
HAHAHAHAHAH
So Funny AO its pathetic