There is some strange news this morning that Newcastle manager Chris Hughton is keen to sign Middlesbrough defender David Wheater on a free transfer in the summer.
David Wheater – available in January?
Of course there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Newcastle getting some good free transfers, but we wonder if center-back in an area of the team that we need to strengthen.
We have Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell, Steven Taylor and young Tamas Kadar at center-back – so do we need more?
Wheater’s contract runs out on June 30th, and the only way we could be interested in the player is if Steven Taylor leaves the club in January or in the summer, and if Sol Campbell’s contract is not renewed next summer.
Certainly David is an accomplished player at Middlesbrough.
Rather than let him leave in the summer for nothing, Middlesbrough would apparently be willing to let David go in January for around £2M, if they can get that much for him, and there will be a number of clubs interested in the powerful defender.
The 6’5″ 23 year-old was born in Redcar, and played 11 times for the England U21 side scoring one goal, and he’s been at Middlesbrough since 2004, but has also been on loan to Doncaster Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Darlington.
Wheater has started 167 times (plus 4 sub appearances) for Middlesbrough so far in his career with 12 goals.
Comments welcome.
11 comments so far
DrunkenSteve
Dec 1, 2010 at 11:07 AM
Comment #1Remember when he kicked Shearer in the plumbs?
Not sure if we need another CB. If we get shot of Saylor (and I hope we dont),then yes otherwise no thanks.
Dags
Dec 1, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Comment #2Hmmm, have you forgot that Saylor is Transfer Listed? And is Sol out of contract at the end of the season? Even if not, he’ll be another year older… Not sure about Wheater though to be honest, can get better.
G
Dec 1, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Comment #3Wasn’t that Huth? Agree with you on the Steve T front like.
Indian Magpie
Dec 1, 2010 at 11:20 AM
Comment #4it was huth who kicked Shearer. not him
Davies
Dec 1, 2010 at 11:22 AM
Comment #5I say go for him. He’s sturdy, experienced and cheap. Sol’s legs won’t last forever and the Taylor saga has yet to be concluded, If Hughton’s after him, it shows great foresight on the man’s part.
mattyNUFC
Dec 1, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Comment #6I don’t understand why we didn’t sign Fitz Hall. Go look at the games he started in last year, 5-1 win at Cardiff, there when we clinched promotion. Now he captain over at QPR and having another fine season. Sure, he’s almost 30 but I bet he’d be on less than 15k a week. Honestly haven’t seen enough of Wheater.
If we do sign a defender though, why not go for Hall?
Captain Beefheart
Dec 1, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Comment #7Matty, I’m with you on OneSize. Never understood why we let him go especially when Taylor was struggling with injuries. Too late now, doubtless he’ll score against us next season just to say “Hello, Chris, told you so..”.
expatgeordie
Dec 1, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Comment #8Most of my mates arte QPR fans and they wish we had bought Fitzhall he is a decent Championship player but is not Pl class. If (or should I say when) QPR get promoted he will not be playing for them. Some of you guys on here know absolutley nowt about football.
Newutd
Dec 1, 2010 at 1:57 PM
Comment #9Agree expat. Can’t believe how excited people get by just a couple of matches. Bet the same people who talks nicely about OneSize are the same people who “would love” to see Perch play for Newcastle. Just because of that one match against us he was good..
toon1986
Dec 1, 2010 at 10:52 PM
Comment #10Fitz hall will never be a prem player
Bao Zheng
Dec 2, 2010 at 9:04 AM
Comment #11I wouldn’t be unhappy to see Mr Punch at SJP. Proven player at EPL level. Brutal enough to play Stoke and good enough to play Arsenal. Make Sol defensive coach next year?