Paper Talk - Wednesday June 29

By Jebediah
June 29 2005

A roundup of all Tuesdays news regarding Newcastle United from the national tabloid newspapers, by Jebediah

Not much transfer talk in todays papers, just comments and reaction to Laurent Roberts comments made in the Sun, and a second episode of that interview. In The Sun Robert has commented on the future of young Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas. The Frenchman seems to think  Jenas is at "breaking point" and will be the next star to leave the Toon. Recently linked with Spurs, Jenas may attract more interest although I am sure Freddy Shepherd and Graeme Souness would prefer to keep the England player.

Interestingly, Souness proved exactly who the child is out of the two by refusing to get caught up in a war of words with Robert. He merely said "I would like to wish Laurent Robert the best of luck at Portsmouth." Shepherds comments on the matter were "You should only say good things when somebody leaves. Robert has gone - good!"

The Frenchman also says he wants revenge on Souness for forcing him out of Newcastle. Laurent Robert recently switched to fellow Premiership outfit Portsmouth, and will be looking to have an impact when he faces his old team and manager.

However, Robert appears to have been made to look the fool. As he is still officially a Newcastle player until Friday, his comments have landed him with a fine of £80k as a leaving present from Shepherd. Whether there is more to come from Robert is unclear, but it would not surprise me if this is not the last we have heard from him. In my opinion, Shepherd and Souness have dealt with the situation very professionally.

In other news, The Sun says Souness wants to snap up Bëlozoglu Emre as soon as possible. The transfer has been dragging on for so long now, and the manager is apparently worried about competition from Everton and one other Premiership club, not named.

Also, Craig Bellamy is apparently in talks with Celtic over the £6m switch mentioned in Mondays paper talk. The Sun and The Mirror also say Newcastle are closing in on the signing of Luis Boa Morte from Fulham. The man who was linked with us in January has emerged to be an apparent target this summer, despite signing a new contract in January. Yesterdays Chronicle also carried the same story regarding the Toon swooping for the Portuguese winger.

Finally, Bolo Zenden of Middlesbrough looks to be heading to Anfield. Newcastle had been linked with the Dutchman, who is leaving the Riverside this summer and would be available for no fee, however it appears he will join Liverpool by next week.