Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has again talked about Cheick Tiote, and that it will take some big money before Newcastle will ever agree to sell him.
Alan Pardew – nmn
But one interpretation of Alan’s comments are that he is trying to talk up the value of Tiote, as they did with Andy Carroll a year ago.
But if Newcastle do sell Tiote, who will be off to the African Cup of Nations in mid-January, Newcastle had better make sure they bring in a suitable replacement immediately.
We assume Graham Carr has some players already identified, that Newcastle could move for, if they do get a huge offer for Tiote.
And Newcastle shouldn’t accept anything on the last day of the transfer window, because there will not be time to bring in a suitable replacement, as we proved last January when we sold Andy Carroll to Liverpool.
The latest news on Tiote is that Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham are all interested in the Ivorian, and as we said this morning, we think a cash offer of around £25M would be enough for Mike Ashley to sell – and then spend around £3M to bring in his replacement.
Only last Monday Newcastle were linked with Ivory Coast international and Nice midfielder 26 year-old Kafoumba Coulibaly.
The Nice player has played 98 times and scored two goals for Nice, and plays very much like Tiote in defensive midfield, and the news was that he would cost around £3M.
Alan again talked about the possibility of losing players next month:
“We could lose our players to the Champions League teams, so you are all on your guard.” “Players start manoeuvring and agents – it’s not a very nice period.” “You never know with the window. It’s such a minefield of possibilities.”
“We have one or two players here that top clubs, I’m sure, will be interested in.” “But the one thing I would say on that is that they are going to have to pay a lot of money to take anybody out of here, because we are obviously in a good position – not just on the playing side, but financially as well.”
“Tiote is a big target because he’s a great player, and great players are going to be targets.” “It would be very, very difficult to get him out of here.”
The other two top players that could be targets of bigger clubs are captain Fab Coloccini, who is in negotiation for a new contract with the club, and also French midfield success Yohan Cabaye, who has settled in very quickly to the Premier League.
Newcastle are getting their financial books in shape, and in the financial year that ended last June, lost a little short of £5M, compared with over £30M in the previous financial year.
We would expect the club to make a profit this financial year, which ends next June, and there will be less and less reason for Newcastle to sell, once the club has their financials in order.
Maybe then we can start to build a top side, but until that time, we have to hope we lose none of our top players next month or in the summer.
But you also cannot be certain about that, as Alan Pardew indicates above.
Comments welcome.
13 comments so far
angelswithdirtyfaces
Dec 15, 2011 at 5:47 PM
Comment #1Well that’s all right then – Plans A-Z already prepared.
Bye Cheik
jakesome
Dec 15, 2011 at 5:56 PM
Comment #2rather keep hold of krul than tiote
davis_toons
Dec 15, 2011 at 5:57 PM
Comment #3At £3.5 million Cheik is really a budget buy. He suit our weak central midfield so well.
It is the time when the fans can see and judge on MA. If he try, fine. Not worth for even a 17 million bid.
Owen cost that much as well.
ginkoh
Dec 15, 2011 at 5:57 PM
Comment #4Just easy, if they dare to spend big, we will listen. Nobody know what will happen and I won’t surprise at all. That’s football but we have to make sure we still on progress. That’s the most important.
cla5hb0y68
Dec 15, 2011 at 5:58 PM
Comment #5Let’s hope he has a replacement for Graham Carr lined up too. Envious club chairmen must surely be casting covetous glances, towards a scout who can unearth quality players for bargain bin prices and a huge sell on profit.
angelswithdirtyfaces
Dec 15, 2011 at 5:59 PM
Comment #6@jakesome
Cheik is more easily replaced than Krul.
He does pick up a lot of cards and automatic suspensions and has his weaknesess but he’s still some player.
angelswithdirtyfaces
Dec 15, 2011 at 6:02 PM
Comment #7cla5hb0y68
Graham won’t leave. He loves the Toon. A nice performance bonus would be a just reward though.
davis_toons
Dec 15, 2011 at 6:06 PM
Comment #8People like Carr deserves to get their bonus rewards. Supported!
davis_toons
Dec 15, 2011 at 6:08 PM
Comment #9Shamrock Rovers 0 – 0 Tottenham H.
Looks like Spurs is looking at the leg direction. Not in this match.
soundoid
Dec 15, 2011 at 6:09 PM
Comment #10I was working in Holland a few weeks back, someone told me Tiote holds the Dutch League record for the most cards in one season.
cla5hb0y68
Dec 15, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Comment #11angelswithdirtyfaces – “Graham won’t leave. He loves the Toon” – Sure I’ve heard that sentiment somewhere before…..usually just before they left having not been given an improved deal.
angelswithdirtyfaces
Dec 15, 2011 at 6:32 PM
Comment #12@cla5hb0y
Different motives
Players have still got something to prove, big egos and small IQs. They always reckon they’re worth more than they are and think they can hack it at least one level above their capabilities. And stupid money comes into it big tine too.
Viper
Dec 15, 2011 at 6:51 PM
Comment #13Same old concern for me; and I’m sure not only me.
Squad size Squad size Squad size Squad size.
Allready (as proven – again) way too small.
1 out 1 in = still too bloody small!
2 out 1 in? do the maths.
Need additions not equalizers.