A report in the News Of The World today that Newcastle are after Spurs winger Niko Kranjcar in January.
Niko Kranjcar – Newcastle interested in Croation International
Of course this report comes after an interview with Newcastle manager Chris Hughton on Thursday who said he would not be making any moves at all in the January transfer market.
But the news is that Newcastle want class when they it becomes available and if they can get a good deal for for the Croatian international they will do it.
But with further research we have found out that Niko’s signed a four year deal in September of 2009 at Spurs, so the NOTW is not accurate in saying he is a free agent next summer – and that’s a pity.
Niko has been described by manager Harry Redknapp recently as a great lad, and a wonderful professional who never complains but trains hard every day, and certainly his class could help fill the gap in the Newcastle squad left by the absence of broken leg victim Ben Arfa, if Newcastle could sign him in January for a small fee. He cost Spurs £2M last year from Portsmouth.
Niko, who stands 6’1″ tall and has fantastic technique, prefers the right wing and could certainly offer a tremendous challenge to Wayne Routledge on Newcastle’s right wing.
But there’s no doubt that the 56 times capped Croation Kranjcar, has fallen out of favor at White Hart Lane right now, and seems ready to leave for first-team football, which he will get at Newcastle.
It seems that Everton, who are also always interested in a good deal, and almost signed Kranjcar when he left Fratton Park last year, are still interested in the player and could offer Steven Pienaar to Tottenham.
The South African’s contract runs out next summer, and he has so far refused to sign a new contract for the Everton club.
While we think what Chris Hughton said could be accurate enough, that Newcastle are not planning to sign anybody specific in January, players like Niko are just too good to pass up, if they indeed become available.
If Newcastle can somehow get this player – that would be another great deal for the Newcastle club, as Niko has proved he can play in the Premier League, and has that little thing called class.
Note: Our initial report of this story replicated what the NOTW is saying – that Niko is a free agent in the summer, but since we found out that is not true and his contract runs through 2013, we have altered our report – but we still think Niko would be a great deal for Newcastle at £2M.
Here is the Croation’s record in football so far ….
================================================
Years Team Apps Goals 2001–2004 Dinamo Zagreb 84 (19) 2004–2006 Hajduk Split 45 (12) 2006–2009 Portsmouth 83 (9) 2009– Tottenham 26 (6)
National team
Croatia U21 3 (0) 2004– Croatia 56 (12)
================================================
Comments very welcome.
19 comments so far
Chris F
Oct 10, 2010 at 12:46 AM
Comment #1they couldn’t offer him a deal in january.
in january out of contract players can only talk to clubs from outside the country they play in (one of the clauses in the Bosman ruling apparently)
of course clubs can let the player know theyre interested, but they can’t open actual negotiations until closer to the expiry date of the players contract (might actually be they have to wait until the season finishes, not 100% on that one)
Howay The Lads
Oct 10, 2010 at 12:55 AM
Comment #2Smells fishy to me…
baro
Oct 10, 2010 at 1:06 AM
Comment #3He is a very good young player that i think that he would be an wonderful addition to our team. Him put in at the right wing or Nolan role would be awesome as he has a staggering free kick
Barcode16
Oct 10, 2010 at 1:29 AM
Comment #4http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/8232598.stm
He’s not available on a free for another 2 years, so no chance
Bucks mag
Oct 10, 2010 at 1:59 AM
Comment #5An inevitable rumour given his contract situation, so I don’t think there’s any truth in it, BUT he would be an amazing steal.
Brutooon
Oct 10, 2010 at 4:12 AM
Comment #6he be 10 times better than routledge and good addition to our squad.
sign him!
Hawaiian Geordie
Oct 10, 2010 at 4:18 AM
Comment #7his wages are obviously too high for us
branunited
Oct 10, 2010 at 4:56 AM
Comment #8it is true that said hugton not buy in January, but if you can bring Kranjcar and sell Routledge, be wonderful. I would love to buy niko (Kranjcar) and a definitive contract to Ben Arfa, and summer market in a forward thinking, it would be a windfall
Doha Mag
Oct 10, 2010 at 5:02 AM
Comment #9How old is he’ I’m guessing late 20’s but maybe he started with Dinamo Zagreb when he was 15 or 16????
Rotonda heights
Oct 10, 2010 at 9:18 AM
Comment #1026
Malaysia-RASHID
Oct 10, 2010 at 9:20 AM
Comment #11i think Routledge can be a good player and winger for us under the Hoot regime. Give him support and time lads.
austoon
Oct 10, 2010 at 9:24 AM
Comment #12Heard a rumour that Forster wants to stay at Celtic permanently. Hope this aint true.
vic
Oct 10, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Comment #13He would be great RW
CARROL
Ameobi RANGER
Nolan
GUTIERES BARTON KRANCHAR
Loven Ben Arf Rutledg
TIOTE
Gutrie
ENRIQUE R.TAYLOR
Ferguson COLO CAMPBEL
Willi S.Taylor
KRUL
alex84
Oct 10, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Comment #14http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/newcastle-united/2010/10/10/bully-boys-won-t-put-ben-arfa-off-79310-27439088/2/
cool article from ben arfa’s rep
Toonarmy1993
Oct 10, 2010 at 1:50 PM
Comment #15ed, kranjcar prefers the left wing! that is why he hasnt been playing a spurs because bale has been playing there!
Toon XI
Oct 10, 2010 at 4:04 PM
Comment #16I would love to see Kranjcar in black & white….absolutely love it!
StuW
Oct 10, 2010 at 7:22 PM
Comment #17Kranjcar has said he will leave Spurs if h isn’t playing regular, so I reckon a possible loan would be a good move for both parties. Then, we could put a decent crosser on the right, and drop Routledge to the bench, or into the Tyne, whichever you prefer.
chuck
Oct 10, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Comment #18To bring him to Tyneside on loan during the winter window would be a plus.
Not sure what kind of wages he`s on or how much Spurs value him.
The guy ticks all the boxes and would be a great addition to the side.
Imagine a mid field of
Ben Arfa **Joey**Tiote **Kranjcar
Aint bad !
chuck
Oct 10, 2010 at 9:09 PM
Comment #19OK , wish list for next season!
Krul
S. Taylor*Campbell*Colo* Enrique.
***************Tiote***************
Jonas********* Joey*******Krancar
*************Ben Arfa************
*************Carroll**************