In an even more than usual rumour-filled January transfer window, Newcastle are being linked with more players than you can shake a stick at, so here’s an attempted summary, without missing too many projected targets. Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis is one of the reported targets to replace the QPR-bound Loic Remy. The 27-year-old target man has an impressive scoring record for his current club with 11 goals this season. A £9m bid is being rumoured, and the French contingent already on Tyneside could help land Gomis, should he be tempted by an offer for his services. Newcastle are understood to have made a bid for AS Nancy left-back Massadio Haidara. A fee of around £2m has been rumoured for the 20-year-old defender, who has also attracted interest from Serie A side Roma and a number of other Premier League clubs. If he was to move across the Channel, he would likely be cover for Davide Santon. Santon himself is being linked with a big-money move back to Italy, with AC Milan interested in signing the former Inter full-back. Santon is happy at Newcastle at the minute and is not seeking a return to his homeland, so the speculation is unlikely to result in the promising Italy international leaving St James’ Park. The Daily Mail also report Milan are chasing Tim Krul, for whom they are pondering a £10m move. The big news surrounds Captain Fabricio Coloccini, whose future remains unclear. Officials were set to meet with the Argentina defender today (Wednesday) and decide on the player’s future then, but it is now reported that the meeting will take place on Monday instead. The facts are that Coloccini’s wife has returned to Argentina for personal reasons, leaving Coloccini with their two children on Tyneside. Hometown club San Lorenzo are trying to persuade Colo to rescind his contract with Newcastle, but no official transfer request has been made by the 30-year-old.The minnows cannot afford a transfer fee and are hinging their deal on Coloccini’s personal problems and love for his hometown club being the instigating factor behind any contract-cancelling.From an outsider’s point of view, Coloccini would be hugely missed by Newcastle if he was to leave in this window, as a gaping hole would be left in the already troubled defence. However, because no transfer request has been made, it seems like Coloccini is unwilling to jump ship now, and the summer could be a more apt time to leave.Remember that Coloccini was one of the ones who stayed when Newcastle were relegated to the Championship three years ago, so that suggests he is unlikely to want to leave his club in the mire when they need him to be strong. If Coloccini does go, James Tomkins has been rumoured as a potential replacement. West Ham won’t want to sell cheaply though, and the fact that he is English, and homegrown players tend to be massively overpriced, could force Alan Pardew to look overseas again. Fourteen more days of the transfer window remain, and the rumours will gain momentum and interest, leaving the Toon Army sweating on how many players are going to be brought in to strengthen their squad.Sit back and try and stay sane would be my advice, and don’t believe anyone if they claim to have seen a new arrival at Newcastle airport.Read more Newcastle United news on BleacherReport.com
Comments