Some disappointment for Newcastle today as 32 year-old Fenerbahce and former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has said he is happy playing at Fenerbahce and he is settled there – he doesn’t want to move back to the Premier League.
It had been reported that Rafa Benitez was keen to link up with the stalwart center-back and we thought Martin would be a great buy for us for around £5M and could have done a good job for us over the next three years because of his vast experience.
But Martin has other ideas and he wants to stay playing in Turkey with top club Fenerbahce.
The news about the 90 times capped Slovakian International is in Turkish sports newspaper Sozcu and this is what the defender has said about a possible move back to England:
“I don’t want to leave, I have settled in and want to remain at Fenerbahce.”
Stoke City and Swansea City are reported to be the other Premier League clubs interested in the defender but there was always a great chance he would want to join his former manager Rafa Benitez at Newcastle United.
But Martin doesn’t want to come, so that’s another target to cross off the list – Martin will not be making a move to Newcastle.
That’s a real pity.
Comments welcome.
49 comments so far
lochinvar
Jun 28, 2017 at 8:47 AM
Comment #1Not a loss. Skirtel is probably astute enough to realise that the demands of the Premier League are too much for him and he’s no longer got the pace to compete and if he’s enjoying the money and sunshine overvthere fine. Don’t think he was a target anyway just journo gossip.
SA Toon
Jun 28, 2017 at 8:47 AM
Comment #2Can’t say I’m all that disappointed about this one, although it would be nice to see some quality signings arrive. Hold onto your hats everyone, I think we’re in for a busy weekend!
nut meg
Jun 28, 2017 at 8:47 AM
Comment #3Chronicle reporting interest in Tim Krul from Montpellier. A possible deal involving Krul & Boudebouz ??
hibbit
Jun 28, 2017 at 8:49 AM
Comment #4hibbit
Jun 28, 2017 at 8:39 AM
Ron Knee
no i don’t
i think it’s more to do with the financial year that’s ending and making sure the accounts look right to any prospective buyer
0
hibbit
Jun 28, 2017 at 8:43 AM
Shoulders knees
i think we will bring 3/4 players in the next few days but not before saturday
i honestly think Rafa is fully aware of the situation
Markaccus
Jun 28, 2017 at 8:50 AM
Comment #5Martoon
Yes wages will be an issue, i imagine. Hopefully offloading a few of our unwanteds will free up our wage budget.
Jazzy
Although i refered to fernando as a bargain at 5m, I wouldn’t describe him as “bargain basement”. He is a very good player imo and it just so happens Man Citeh don’t seem to need him anymore. I’d still expect us to splash a bit more cash elsewhere too.
Markaccus
Jun 28, 2017 at 8:52 AM
Comment #6Squirtle loss is NOT a “blow”. Haway, man. We are linked with just about every player in europe who is even remotely for sale. We are not actually interested or trying to buy every single one of them.
Markaccus
Jun 28, 2017 at 8:54 AM
Comment #7Possibly moving + Played-for-rafa-at-liverpool = TOON ARE INTERESTED
😀
hibbit
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:05 AM
Comment #8jazzyp
the only inside information i have is about Rafa and his team coaches/medical/technical having a working lunch on friday at benton
i can even tell you the menu …………………..but i know nowt about the football side
giimps
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:08 AM
Comment #9Shame about Skirtel, although to see him at his best we would have had to buy a delorean with a fully charged flux capacitor.
Stay where you are, I would rather have Lascelles and Clark with Mbemba and Dummet as backup……even in the prem……as long as we get a top grade DM to protect them.
jazzyp
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:09 AM
Comment #10Hibbit
Ok dude. I thought you had some juicy info from an inside contact
hibbit
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:12 AM
Comment #11jazzyp
sorry to disappoint
Our Toon
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:15 AM
Comment #12Any news today on getting someone over the line
RUNAWAY777
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:22 AM
Comment #13Wonder what today will bring I know more player we my be interested in what a f@ck liberty.
ShirebrookToon
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:32 AM
Comment #14Gutted we missed out on this lad. Not like us to miss out on a target.
Mag52
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:37 AM
Comment #15.
With Rob Lee writing in an article today more or less what was reported in the Mail last week, it’s clearly not only bloggers on here who are questioning Ashley’s commitment to bringing in the players Rafa needs for our return to the PL.
ITUNDERASHELL
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:37 AM
Comment #16Someone posted earlier in reference to mr Justin Douglas William Barnes and why he is in the toon.
Spend some time running through his directorships and interlocks to other thieves.
MR JUSTIN DOUGLAS WILLIAM BARNES
ACTIVE 4 Pinetops, Forest Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4HL
Active Directorships
80
Resigned Directorships
46
Closed Directorships
12
Total Directorships
138
About MR JUSTIN DOUGLAS WILLIAM BARNES
Mr Justin Douglas William Barnes holds 80 appointments at 80 active companies, has resigned from 46 companies and held 12 appointments at 12 dissolved companies. JUSTIN began their first appointment at the age of 27. Their longest current appointment spans 25 years, 2 months and 20 days at BARLIN INVESTMENTS LIMITED
The combined cash at bank value for all businesses where JUSTIN holds a current appointment equals £16.6m, a combined total current assets value of £332.1m with a total current liabilities of £108.2m and a total current net worth of £25.1m. Roles associated with Mr Justin Douglas William Barnes within the recorded businesses include: Director, Company Secretary
https://companycheck.co.uk/director/916213015/MR-JUSTIN-DOUGLAS-WILLIAM-BARNES/summary
Ron Knee
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:40 AM
Comment #17No need to panic, according to Miles Starforth:-
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/mike-ashley-and-rafa-benitez-get-on-like-a-house-on-fire-at-newcastle-1-8618281
Markaccus
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:41 AM
Comment #18Shirebrook
Really it’s no big loss. IF we were actually interested, that is. He’s 5347 years old, way past his best. suspect he’s only linked because of rafa.
ToonRich
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:45 AM
Comment #19Is Torres still free…Get rid of Murphy and bring in El Nino for a season, he’s still class if not a little bit slower!!!
jazzyp
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:48 AM
Comment #20Toonrich
We will end up buying Shola back at this rate lol
Mister Tuff
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:49 AM
Comment #21Big story today is going to be the Hillsborough enquiry results. My guess nobody will be charged with causing the deaths of the Liverpool fans and that there will be anger from the relatives.
ScoopSouthAfrica
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:50 AM
Comment #22A couple of things for discussion…. Thanks Tammy wants Swansea, he cannot even score penalties when needed. Also maybe if it is the new Financial Year we are waiting of, they could always use post dated checks to prevent being gazumped by any other interested clubs.
Jib
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:57 AM
Comment #23Barnes is a top city lawyer
He specialises in trademark law
It would be strange indeed if he wasn’t named
as a director of dozens of companies.
As Rafa might say of itunderashell
Poco conocimiento es algo peligroso
hibbit
Jun 28, 2017 at 10:07 AM
Comment #24Barnes is a top city lawyer
He specialises in trademark law
and takeovers in both directions
Jib
Jun 28, 2017 at 10:14 AM
Comment #25Justin Barnes is a company lawyer
one of his fortés is business transfers
he knows very little about footy
Some fans don’t like him
Jib
Jun 28, 2017 at 10:15 AM
Comment #26Chris Mort is a company lawyer
one of his fortés is business transfers
he knows very little about footy
Most fans loved him
giimps
Jun 28, 2017 at 10:17 AM
Comment #27at last a new signing, Ed Shearan to lay at St James park , just announced, at least we know what penfold has been doing …..shmoozing Ed Shearan to get him to play for us, I wonder if hes got a decent left peg?
Markaccus
Jun 28, 2017 at 10:24 AM
Comment #28giimps
Shearan sounds a bit like Shearer. Got to be worth a punt!
Mister Tuff
Jun 28, 2017 at 10:36 AM
Comment #29Jib Jibberish – you must feel more at ease with sharing the reported qualities of Barnes and Mort – not that they were legally qualified – but that they know nowt about football. Hahahaha. Get in – you plonka.
TyneMouth
Jun 28, 2017 at 10:46 AM
Comment #30This time last year Rafa was concerned about the qualities of the facilities at the training ground.
That resulted in the installation of a state of the art synthetic training pitch, and upgrades to fitness equipment and therapeutic machines, which certainly benefitted in the reduction of injuries, both in training and in matchplay.
Does anyone know as to whether the have been subsequent improvements this summer?
In view of the possibility of a takeover in the near future, in would benefit the value of the sale, if everything appeared up to-date.
TyneMouth
Jun 28, 2017 at 11:01 AM
Comment #31Justin Barnes is a lawyer specialising in corporate affairs, it is most likely his presence on Tyneside is to address the problems with HMCR, expecially in light of the possibility of a take-over.
There is NO evidence that he is visiting SJP to enforce Ashley’s transfer policy.
Markaccus
Jun 28, 2017 at 11:11 AM
Comment #32Is the blog collectively writing a song called “Justin Barnes is a Lawyer”??
We seem to have several verses already.
giimps
Jun 28, 2017 at 11:12 AM
Comment #33no bloody wonder nobody wants to come, were in the heart of our summer and its about 10° outside
Ron Knee
Jun 28, 2017 at 11:16 AM
Comment #34“Location, location, location,” as estate agents say!
Jib
Jun 28, 2017 at 11:25 AM
Comment #35Markaccus
Is the blog collectively writing a song called “Justin Barnes is a Lawyer”??
Yup
Ed Sheeran is going to perform it at SJP June 2018
ShirebrookToon
Jun 28, 2017 at 11:37 AM
Comment #36It’s Wednesday. Aren’t we supposed to see some activity today?
Jib
Jun 28, 2017 at 11:55 AM
Comment #37Contrary to what legal eagle Mr Tuff said/thought
David Duckenfield and Norman Bettison an 4 more being charged over Hillsborough.
The S Yorks police can duck and dive no more.
Public guardians what a joke.
They should put the filth in Walton jail in the general prison population
Jib
Jun 28, 2017 at 11:58 AM
Comment #38http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/hillsborough-charging-decisions-announced-updates-13249366
Tinman
Jun 28, 2017 at 12:20 PM
Comment #39Hibbit,
What’s the menu like then pal?
A decent spread?
TyneMouth
Jun 28, 2017 at 12:41 PM
Comment #40On a serious note; if this ‘problem’ with HMCS goes belly-up, then let’s hope Lawyer Justin Barnes is a very, very good corporate lawyer.
If there has been inaccuracies in our book-keeping then the penalties could be catastrophic. The affair has gone a little quiet, let’s hope it stays that way…