Good news this morning that Sky Sports understands that Newcastle are well in the lead to sign Aston Villa’s Stephen Ireland.
Stephen Ireland – on his way to Newcastle – hope so
There are a number of Premier League clubs keen to sign the 24 year-old, which is hardly surprising given his pedigree, and of course there is absolutely no future for him at Aston Villa, since Frenchman Gerard Houllier joined the club as manager, after Stephen was signed by then manager Martin O’Neill.
Sky Sports are saying that Newcastle are now believed to be in advanced talks with Villa over a loan deal, and of course Alan Pardew mentioned that Derek LLambias had been negotiating for the player over the weekend.
Ireland is thought to be on close to £70K/week at Villa, and how much Newcastle play of his wages is a big piece of the negotiations.
Newcastle are hopeful they can agree a deal this week.
If Stephen signed soon, he could even join the lads in Portugal this week — wonder if that’s a big enough incentive? Nice bit of sun and all that. 😀
Newcastle were also close to getting Sebastien Larsson earlier this month from Birmingham, so we have to hope the club are successful in arranging a loan deal for this excellent play-maker.
The loan deal will also come with a transfer fee, as to how much Newcastle would have to pay in the summer, if the club wanted to make the deal permanent.
A loan deal is a good deal for Newcastle, because they can then judge how good Ireland is, and also of course Stephen will be playing his socks off presumably, to get a good deal at the famous Newcastle club.
Stephen joined Manchester City in 2005 and played 170 times for the club with 23 goals, before joining Aston Villa last August, where he appeared 12 times and Houllier has him currently training with the Reserves.
We assume Gerrard doesn’t like him, for some reason, and the former Liverpool and Lyon manager has a few of the first reamers training with either the Reserves or the Youth Side.
It reminds us of Ruud Gullit, who in 1999 had Rob Lee training with the Newcastle Youth team, before Ruud was finally fired and the great Bobby Robson entered the picture.
Strange people these football managers, sometimes.
Comments welcome.
71 comments so far
andyroo
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:31 AM
Comment #11
Toonkistan
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:32 AM
Comment #2Is he not injured….anyways i think if he’s willing to join us to play then he’s a very good signing..might be the creative player who unlocks the defence
jimmyxavi
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:34 AM
Comment #3poootang
andyroo
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:34 AM
Comment #4he is injured but dont think he is to far away from full fitness. am watching sky sports news as we speek and nothing is on screen. typicall never does have anything about newcastle on unless it is bad news
Thump
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:35 AM
Comment #5Yep, more injured players. That’ll help.
NOVA2967
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:37 AM
Comment #6Isnt he an attacking midfielder. Who can play on the wing.
Not a bad signing but we need wingers.
Where will he play when Arfa gets back.
andyroo
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:40 AM
Comment #7ad rather have to many good players than not enough!! we will have one of best midfields in pl wen there all fit !!! jonas gutherie hba nolan barton vuckic gosling tiote then maybee ireland and larsson
Toonkistan
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:42 AM
Comment #8Arfa probably play on the left side and or behind carroll and ireland can play behind striker too…ppl need to understand we need squad depth too what if joey or nolan gets injured or suspended (which in joey’s case is quite realistic) then what replacement do we have….he can be a good signing ….albeit we need wingers too
carrollsinger
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:45 AM
Comment #9Ireland is a clever footballer abit like barton but more pace and can play on rw but mainly cm good cover for tiote Nolan barton can take over either position
The Leazus End
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:47 AM
Comment #10is he quick enough to play on the wing.
dont know what to make of this signing, supose time will tell. looks like that will be the only player through the door this window with players due back from injury
Milzzy Rascal
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:51 AM
Comment #11If Ireland joins I’ll be well pleased. I think he’s a superb player. He made some stupid errors when he was younger but so have a lot of footballers. If there’s an option to get him we should take it.
Toonkistan
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:51 AM
Comment #12we need wingers on each side even if we have arfa back and jonas there…
The Leazus End
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:54 AM
Comment #13@ Toonkistan // Jan 25, 2011 at 9:51 AM
quality wingers cost money and we havnt got any to spend bud.
not in this window unless they are loaned or on a freebee
murvar
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:56 AM
Comment #14I don’t want Ireland. He’s a strange character who lied to his club and Ireland to miss games. He was utterly awful at SJP in our first home game of the season and now he can’t get a game at Villa. What’s to like about him??!!
The Leazus End
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:58 AM
Comment #15would rather of had SWP he is available for free
Magpietillidie22
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Comment #16Hes not a winger people lol, he is a CM. Putting him on the wing would be like putting Guthrie on the wing.
Hes a bit of a lampard being attack minded but he has top quality vision for a through ball. If we can get his man city form bk out of him we will have a player on our hands. Dont forget the tightness of our dressing room may help him feel more at home. Villa was a club in turmoil, he didnt really have a chance to settle
repo
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Comment #17He’s crap and will rock the boat so stay well away..
Toonkistan
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Comment #18murvar..so was barton and so might be ben arfa but at the end of the day if they can sort out their heads they are all good players 🙂
LeazusEnd..there are soo many cheap and shrewd buys available like Kranjcar and Bently…and i’d love a proved small striker like Keane in black & white 🙂
Toonkistan
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Comment #19**proven
Mags
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Comment #20Jury out as far as I am concerned. If it happens then I am glad it is only a loan.
The lad has obvious talent as an attacking central midfielder but it is a long time since anyone has seen this skill.
His attitude is suspect to say the least.
Angryman the Angry fan
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Comment #21Repo
Agreed!!
And to all the pro Ireland brigade…where will we play a Central midfielder earning 50+K a week?
Drop Nolan, Barton or Chiek???
Edd Case
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Comment #22My issue with this deal is that he is on silly money.
So, if we can get him to us on half of 70k a week until the end of the season, fair enough…
But…
If he plays really well and proves to be a hit, come the end of the season, he’ll only go back to Villa a better player cause we wont bring him here on 70k a week, unless we sell Smith, Xsico and a few others…maybe that’s Pardew’s plan?
dublin mag steve
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:16 AM
Comment #23dont want him hes a bleedin tosser!
Milzzy Rascal
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Comment #24Anyone who screams and shouts for signings then turns their nose up at a player of this quality needs their head examining.
We don’t have bundles of cash because Ashley’s plan has always been to make us self suffcient by the end of this season (provided we avoid relegation) it’s sensible in this window to look at loan signings and players coming to the end of their contract. The Argy lad and any other Football Manager type players that crop up are simply to expensive and to much of a risk right now.
Angryman the Angry fan
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Comment #25Dublin Mag Steve!!
AGREED
But oh, he has a charity!!!! Makes all the difference you know according to one or 2 on here!!! Pffft
Angryman the Angry fan
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Comment #26Milzzy Rascal, If that was pointed at me, see ALL my posts. I have never once screamed for signings….au contrare……I opinionate on potential signings being either good enuff or not good enuff for our club!! Not team, Club….because they can be your messi, ronaldo…whoever, but if they come in and upset the applecart, with their prima dona ways, then they can go a play with themselves in Aston Villa Reserves ta!!
JohnnyBrookes
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Comment #27Millzy, completely agreed. I’m not sure what people really want, if a proven premier league quality player can come on loan, what is the problem??!!
Its better to have a big squad, lets for instance think if Barton gets suspended, Nolan needs a rest, Guthrie injured why not keep an option open. Also Ireland can play in behind the striker so no more Strolla, should please a few? If not we miss out again, like Bentley who we should have got.
Magpietillidie22
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Comment #28Angryman, are you seriously turning on ireland because you believe hes a tosser?
Lets take a look at our team shall we lol Joey Barton… drunken fights with teenagers outside macdonalds at 2am, stabbing a cigar out on a fellow players face at city, numerous other criminal acts that make the entire football world HATE him but hey Ireland doesnt wanna play for villa… KILL HIM THAT BLOODY CRIMINAL!
lmao, Ireland is a good player, we need good players and he is risk free as itll be a loan. Also if you think for one minute ashley would sanction a deal where we pay 50-70k wages you need to put down the pipe lol if ireland comes itll be cheap and a great deal for the club. Get over it.
Also where would he play? Well considering we have lost smith and tiote loves a suspension lets just assume hes back up other wise itll be jonas tiote ireland barton in the middle with nolan off carroll. Ben arfa will be back at some point so if anything look at ireland as cover for the mean time
Magpietillidie22
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Comment #29btw for those who claimed we were getting tarrabt or the people that wanted tarrabt…
QPR manager Neil Warnock has rubbished talk Newcastle are interested in signing Adel Taarabt after rumours of a £5million offer.
With the January transfer window rapidly approaching its conclusion reports in the press had suggested Toon boss Alan Pardew was preparing to make a bid for the Rangers’ skipper.
The Morocco international has been excellent for Rangers this season and has helped them reach the summit of the Championship after his permanent switch from Tottenham in the summer.
Reports had suggested Newcastle were willing to pay QPR £5million for Taarabt but Warnock has said no one has even made an approach for the winger and has told them not to bother if they are interested.
Warnock said: “You can forget a move for Tarbs – that’s stone dead certain. I’m not sure any club would want him. We give him licence to do things here he would never get a chance to do anywhere else.”
JohnnyBrookes
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Comment #30Magpie – Absolutely spot on.
Your talking about Barton, who has actually done some pretty horrendous stuff, the cigar in the eye was a youth team player as well, so your talking under 18’s.
Yet its okay for him to play for us? but not Ireland who obviously had a few emotional problems, with international football etc, you should be glad he isn’t playing International all it ever brings is injuries!!
Milzzy Rascal
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Comment #31I knew that was gonna come back at me!! 🙂
No angryman it wasn’t directed at you i’ve seen and read you posts and I respect the opinion that you have.
My point is simply that regardless of what he has done before and bearing in mind he’s only 24 the lad can play football and he can put the ball in the net. Premiership survival mate that’s what this is all about and I think this kid can massively aid that. Now if I’m wrong and he continues his upstart ways then fine pack him off at the end of his loan. But if we can get him playing like he was before the Arabs took over City then we have a match winner in our squad. Surely no bad thing?? My final point would be this would you try and be a prima dona with the likes of Nolan, Barton, Carroll, Smith hell even Carver and Stone around??! They’d knock 7 shades out of you!!
NUFC_Richyg01
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Comment #32Sounds like the only thing left to do is agree what % of his wages we will pay
toonfan09
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Comment #33he isnt injured but houlier only lets him train with the reserves
expatgeordie
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Comment #34Don’t think we’ll get him or anyone else before next Tuesday
toon18
Jan 25, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Comment #35Angry man
The charity reference was a perfectly valid point to make. You were making an assessment of his character – he’s got a bad attitude etc. I merely added another point about his character – he has a foundation that raises money for a children’s Hospice. That obviously doesn’t make him the greatest person alive, but for me it shows he’s got to be at least half decent.
Just because my point is contrary to yours it doesn’t mean it deserves mocking. Let’s remember none of us know the bloke, so let’s give him a chance.
If we get him on loan and he sucks or is an idiot then we can send him back, simple as that. So let’s just wait and see.
Angryman the Angry fan
Jan 25, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Comment #36Lads your making Tw8ts of yourselves kicking our best player. The best player at the club, keep bringing up Bartons past!!#
And to boot, your not even understanding my reasoning behind not wanting Ireland!!
Okay, for you simpletons out there her goes
I think Stephen Ireland would NOT be a good signing for the club because:
He has refused to play football when Previous Managers have asked him to play out of position, something that we have had to do on occasions this season!! (J.Barton)
He has Walked away from Training Camps because he couldnt be ar*ed!! Rep of Ireland!
He has told Lie after lie after lie to Managers, admitting it himself FFS!!
Citeh fans say, he is lazy!! Only turns up for games he fancies!! Has had 1 decent season, but spat out the dummy when Hughsey dropped him for a game!! (And you say he’ll be happy as back up for Jonas/Nolan/Tiote/Barton even Gosling & Guthrie)
Wrong for this club!! Thats my opinion!! I have not doubted once that he can play a bit, however, I do doubt his attitude……
And, do i really need to keep repeating myself to those on a lower plain…….This is the most harmonious squad we have had for years and years and bloody years, why bring in a high risk Character to upset the applecart when im sure there are better players with better attitiudes out there who would come in low risk!!
Eeeesh
Angryman the Angry fan
Jan 25, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Comment #37Toon 18
Get him in on loan and just send him back after we find oput his attitude is shit, he has upset half the team and then off he goes, he still has a club to go to!!
PS Toon18, hitler used to build hospitals!!!
Angryman the Angry fan
Jan 25, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Comment #38Bored with the Ireland debate now, gone on for far too long.
I hope we dont get him (If we do I will remain to support the team FFS) as my OPINION is, we do not need players with an “If i camt have it my way, i aint playing, going home and taking my ball with me, as we’d be cattled wth no ball to play with!!
Angryman the Angry fan
Jan 25, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Comment #39Jonnybrookes and Magpietil i die, Your ealise that you are no better than the gutter press still banging on about Bartons past???
If it was nayone else who done that, would you be banging on about it?
EG, Alan Shearers breaking of Gillespies nose in Dublin? Thats a corker that one!!
Andy Carrolls smashing of Taylors jaw, gone all quiet!!
Or other teams, young jack Wilshere, beating up on a young lady in london, not often mentioned.
JBarton was 21 year old when he stubbed a cigar out on a 18 year olds eye, and has since paid him a shed load of compen!!
I dont condone JB past, but guys like you two keep regurgitating all that shite about our star player??? Are you true fans or just part time glory boys 😉
Phil K
Jan 25, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Comment #40Realistic money, then maybe
NOT on the ludicrous £70k