The Newcastle United scouting staff will be out in full force from now through the summer, as they look for targets for the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to the Sunday Sun yesterday the Newcastle targets are said to include rising Ipswich 17 year-old star striker Connor Wickham, Ivory Coast striker Gervinho, Leeds United’s Max Gradel and Marseille’s left-back Taye Taiwo, who was a previous target of the Magpies some years ago.
But why Newcastle would want to bring another top class left back in, with Jose Enrique in such good form is puzzling, unless of course they want two top players fighting for each position in the side.
Another reason is that they may not be able to hold onto Jose in the summer, which wouldn’t be good.
Taye Taiwo is a 25 year-old Nigerian left back, who has now been at Marseilles since 2004, and has played over 180 times for the French club, and also 40 times for Nigeria.
The 6′ tall Nigerian is an experienced player, and may want to try his luck in the Premier League, but if that’s the case, we have to think there would be other big clubs in the market for him.
There is a chance that a top left back is being lined up just in case the negotiations with Enrique over a new contract, which should start in a few weeks time, don’t go well.
Jose is well aware that Liverpool, Manchester United and AC Milan are interested in getting him this summer, but with Frenchman Patrice Evra having just penned a new deal that keeps him at Old Trafford through the summer of 2014, they may not be interested in now acquiring Enrique.
Taiwo is a very decent player, with lots of European Champions League experience, so if he is brought in during the summer, he would still be a good acquisition for Newcastle, even if the Magpies manage to hold onto Jose Enrique.
What do you think?
Comments welcome – but please respect the differing views of other readers.
44 comments so far
arcarius
Feb 21, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Comment #1good replacement for Jose, IF he really decides to leave, which I hope is not the case :/
Visten
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:02 PM
Comment #2It’s simple Ed, we are planning for a worst case scenario and is good business planning if the bull was to leave. Scouting is one thing actually making a bid is another (as we have found out in many previous transfer windows).
Ciaran Thomas
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:02 PM
Comment #3If this is true looks like Jose is wanting out ;(
Flair:20
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:02 PM
Comment #4Why would we be interested in him? Because he’s a good left back whose contract expires this summer and our current left back looks odds on to leave. Seems fairly obvious to me.
Ciaran Thomas
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:03 PM
Comment #5I would trust Stephen Carr without any worries like 🙂
Gav00Toon
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:04 PM
Comment #6This spells out the sale of the Bull.
Good buy Enrique.
The guy has put his hart and sole in for us and to be fair he does deserve Champions League football.
Ciaran Thomas
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:05 PM
Comment #7If even Jose doesnt stay with us we would need back up for him ! Taiwo would be a class free signing if it did happen,But we can dream right ? ;).
whothevuckicharis
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:06 PM
Comment #8I live in Bordeaux, France and go to see quite a few of their games. They’ve had a terrible season so far remaining 9th in League 1.
But on Saturday night they played Lorient and were thrashed 5-1. A lad named Kevin Gameiro scored a hat-trick bringing his goal tally to up to 13 I think this season?
Lorient played a great game but Gameiro has it all, his positionning, speed and deadly finished proved to be the end of Bordeaux.
Getting to the point, newcastle united scouts were in the stand watching Gameiro. We have been reportedto be interested in him in the past. Hopefully this performance was enough to convince us to go for him as he is a cracking player we could get for about 7 million.
lesh
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:06 PM
Comment #9Agree with Visten and whether it’s a spur to get Jose to sign up or a genuine attempt to bring some quality cover for Jose then both make sense.
Another good reason to bring Taiwo in is that if he’s a good LB then he’ll appreciate in value – good left backs are as rare as hens’ teeth.
Could the club be getting its act together?
Solaidback
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:06 PM
Comment #10Why wouldn’t Cessepool, Manc Usa & AC go for this guy also, as he’s got the experience that El Toro doesn’t have & it would save us losing one of our best players too.. 🙂
Start banding this guys name around, it may do us some good 😉
Ciaran Thomas
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:09 PM
Comment #11What are the odds of Jose staying with us for another season ?
nufc_mad
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:10 PM
Comment #12Ciaran Thomas
i’m so glad you put a smiley face at the end of your comment, i almost spat my coffe out haha
cg
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Comment #13even if Jose is staying its a spot that needs some solid backup so why not.
BiffBaffBoff
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Comment #14If Jose does leave, it wont be to Man Utd, Evra just signed a new deal
hollandes
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:15 PM
Comment #15I don’t think it necessarily means Jose is going, but it’s good to have a sound look at potential back-up. i think the transfer policy of the club makes more sense financially than the shepherd days
Ciaran Thomas
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:15 PM
Comment #16If Spurs wanting him I would be asking for a player and 12 million for the Bull 🙂
hollandes
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:18 PM
Comment #17whothevuckicharis – how did you know they were our scouts and did you talk to them about him?
acuna
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:20 PM
Comment #18its pretty simple, he sited his lack of first team football due to the preference shown by Didier Deschamp towards heinze in the left back spot.If enrique does not leave, and i believe he wont then its a non runner.You have to be realistic Ed with who you say would be a possible,realistic and worthwhile signing.
Jimay
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:20 PM
Comment #19Just because we are scouting Taiwo, doesn’t mean that Jose is leaving in the summer. Taiwo’s contract runs out in the summer and he himself has expressed a desire to leave Marseille this summer. Of course we scout him since we can get him on the cheap!
niafron
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Comment #20Bonjour messieurs.
Just one thing to say about signing up Taiwo: Don’t do that.
@whothevuckicharis:
Gameiro is excellent, but, as you probably know, he ‘s already on his way to Valencia Spain.
Je suis de la région parisienne, tu es Français, ou un anglais expatrié?
supervil
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:35 PM
Comment #21This means
a) we’ve learnt from the Andy Carroll fiasco and we’re putting a contingency plan in place.
b) we only have ONE recognised LB. We need to get away from having a strongest XI and adequate replacements. We need a real squad. (see – Jonas since Ben Arfa’s been on the comeback trail. Competition is a GREAT thing.)
c) we’re going to spend that money wisely. Taiwo’s a good LB.
Honestly, Ed, stop freaking out. We’re in a good place right now. If Jose goes – so be it. As with AC (and Shearer, and Ferdinand, and Andy Cole), Newcastle is always more than just one player.
niafron
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:43 PM
Comment #22@Supervil:
I’ve seen Taiwo a lot of time. Believe a poor french footbal fan, he is definitively not a good LB, and he’s simply not a good football player.
Honnestly, i just don’t understand why is he so popular in England…
supervil
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Comment #23Cos he was mint on Pro Evo? Awesome shot.
nufc_mad
Feb 21, 2011 at 1:59 PM
Comment #24Newcastle need sorry Mike Ashley needs to do the right thing by keeping his word and allowing AP to use ALL the cash from the Carrol saga to go back into the squad, we need players that we can full back on when players get injured, we have such a limited squad, it doesn’t even take a match for a player to get injured, they can pick a knock up simply from training, and be out for months, we need good players, at the moment i don’t see the point in buying young players that could be top class, what we need is class to begin with so we can build the foundations, then start thinking about players for the future. for players like Ranger loan him out for a few seasons and get a good replacement in the mean time then in a couples years he will be ready for the top flight, look at Carrol for instance, he was young, well still is loaned for a period of time and now look at him. we need experience first.
Mancgeordie
Feb 21, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Comment #25if jose goes this guy would be ideal to come in and if we get 8m (cos of his contract) for jose and his replacement who is just as good for free that would be again a good piece of business at least we are looking at people incase he does leave which i think he will and his backup would be juan angel from gijon who would cost 4-5m two good lb’s for less than the price of one the same will be with strikers i think we will get elmander for 2-3 yrs and another young fwd like wickham though probably from abroad to back him up along with ranger allowing them to devolep and the same on the wing sell jonas for 8m to lazio reportedly get marveux for nothing and sign gradel for 3-4 and sign ireland for 7-8m
nufc_mad
Feb 21, 2011 at 2:07 PM
Comment #26irealnd for 7-8m? he has not even worn the black and white shirt yet, he needs to prove himself first before any deal to arise. and looking at his current form the future is not very bright for the lad
niafron
Feb 21, 2011 at 2:09 PM
Comment #27@supervil:
Effectively, he got a powerful left leg, but he dramticaly lacks of technics, so, generaly, his shots finish in the crowd.
Mancgeordie
Feb 21, 2011 at 2:20 PM
Comment #28NUFC_MAD ok for ireland form and fitness permitting
jaw4life
Feb 21, 2011 at 2:21 PM
Comment #29Jose is skillful strong, can beat his man and puts in great crosses. I say buy Taiwo and put him at LB and put Jose up at LM…sorted lol
doddsy
Feb 21, 2011 at 2:42 PM
Comment #30maybe for back up
gorskino10
Feb 21, 2011 at 3:03 PM
Comment #31Would be a replacement for Enrique or will enable Jose to move to LW as his crossing/strenght and pace is much like Gareth Bale and he has been pushed from LB to LW, we may do the same and puth Taye in LB. if its a replacement for Jose leaving i have slight reservations, 1: free agents wages are crazy he would want like double or maybe triple he is on now at OM! most free agents do they same ask for crazy money and i feel Taye would do the same. 2: his concentration is questionable some games he looks solid some he looks beatable by any winger, he hasnt been extremely consistant the games ive seen in but his ability on his day is great! i just hope we use Taye as LB and Jose at LW i feel Jose is used to EPL and would become and tremendous winger 🙂
niafron
Feb 21, 2011 at 3:08 PM
Comment #32Taiwo is a defensive nightmare. Especialy at high competition level.
Believe me: DON’T BUY HIM!
You’re warned.
IrishGeordie
Feb 21, 2011 at 4:01 PM
Comment #33If we are to loose Jose then this is the guy we need, Emilio Izaguirre from Celtic. I watch celtic alot and this guy is awesome all be it in the SPL. He owned the left wing in the old firm game yesterday and Kenny Dalglish was at the game supposedly to watch Izaguirre. I think we could get this guy in a swap for Frazer Forster who is on loan there now or Tim Krul as I dont see both these guys waiting around nxt season for first team footy. But i hope now with Evra signing a new deal and L’fools keeping an eye on Izaguirre, then it looks like the only team we have to keep Jose from is AC and in all honesty i cant see him going there because plain and simple Italian footy is SH1T.
Dyer8
Feb 21, 2011 at 4:31 PM
Comment #34Gibbs > van Aanholt > Bertrand > Taiwo
Magpies-till-d3ath
Feb 21, 2011 at 4:31 PM
Comment #35Any1 seen this guy’s free kicks!! His shot power is through the roof!! as for his defending. It is isn’t as good as top clubs describe it as! Still, SIGN HIM UP!! it’s free and Jose is now most likely to leave as he deserves Champions League football and then we have a decent left back who will only get better as Enrique and Simmo have and if Jose doesn’t leave either one of them can play slightly formard and act as a wing back.
max
Feb 21, 2011 at 4:45 PM
Comment #36enrique stay
GeordieTwo
Feb 21, 2011 at 5:26 PM
Comment #37How can we keep Jose if the owner continues to put a limit on salaries which is well below the level required to keep our best young players when competing with other teams? I still don’t understand the value of the team stating that they have a salary cap? Has this officially ever been stated? We will never build a competitive squad without paying proper wages to the best of our players. Let’s hope the owner realizes this and is not just preparing to asset strip under the pretext of stating that players are unwilling to stay with us and won’t sign new contracts at the wages offered.
chuck
Feb 21, 2011 at 7:33 PM
Comment #38TT is a very good full back, is well known by just about every scout and would not come cheap.
This is not the first time we have shown interest in him.
Whats encouraging is the fact we are looking at someone who could replace Enrique should he leave.
Not a lot between the two, though Enrique has PL experience and seems to be flavor of the month.
For me either one would be acceptable.
Robby Bobson
Feb 21, 2011 at 8:33 PM
Comment #39If Jose does leave, he wouldnt be much of a down grade.
clinta2
Feb 21, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Comment #40‘… has heaps of Champions league experience’ says it all. Will be hard to get the player if a top 7 team go in for him that can offer a European place.
That said, f true its good to see the club making back up plans for a change.