Toony™®
7th August 2005, 15:34
Newcastle have targeted Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque as a potential replacement should Jermaine Jenas leave the club.
Manager Graeme Souness has a wealth of midfield talent, bolstered further by the arrivals of Scott Parker and Emre from Chelsea and Inter respectively, but is nervous about losing England international Jenas.
Jenas, 22, is believed to be eyeing a move to the capital - either with Spurs or Arsenal - after falling out with Souness and having tired of life at St James' Park.
Malbranque is seen as an ideal replacement for the former Nottingham Forest youngster, though Manchester City have already seen two bids for the 25-year-old Frenchman turned down.
But Newcastle have money to spare - as evidenced by their pursuit of several world class players, including Real Madrid and England star striker Michael Owen - and can offer more than the Eastlands club.
Rumours in France suggest Malbranque would prefer a switch to Newcastle.
Should the deal go ahead Malbranque could be one half of a double swoop for Luis Boa Morte. Souness is a long-time admirer of the Portuguese attacker and has had discussed with Fulham the possibility of bringing him to Tyneside.
Manager Graeme Souness has a wealth of midfield talent, bolstered further by the arrivals of Scott Parker and Emre from Chelsea and Inter respectively, but is nervous about losing England international Jenas.
Jenas, 22, is believed to be eyeing a move to the capital - either with Spurs or Arsenal - after falling out with Souness and having tired of life at St James' Park.
Malbranque is seen as an ideal replacement for the former Nottingham Forest youngster, though Manchester City have already seen two bids for the 25-year-old Frenchman turned down.
But Newcastle have money to spare - as evidenced by their pursuit of several world class players, including Real Madrid and England star striker Michael Owen - and can offer more than the Eastlands club.
Rumours in France suggest Malbranque would prefer a switch to Newcastle.
Should the deal go ahead Malbranque could be one half of a double swoop for Luis Boa Morte. Souness is a long-time admirer of the Portuguese attacker and has had discussed with Fulham the possibility of bringing him to Tyneside.