Gabbidon the Magpie?

Magpie?
By Chris O'Brien
August 22 2004

Newcastle United are believed to be lining up a bid for Bluebirds defender Daniel Gabbidon. Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson sent scouts to Portman Road to watch the Welsh international as he searches for a replacement to recently departed centre-half Jonathan Woodgate.

Newcastle United boss Sir Bobby Robson had scouts at Portman Road on Saturday to watch Bluebirds defender Daniel Gabbidon,. The former England manager is believed to be interested in bringing the Welsh international to Tyneside to replace Jonathan Woodgate who recently completed a move to European giants Real Madrid.

The departure of Woodgate has left a whole in the centre-half position of Robson's side, and the struggle they could face without the former Leeds defender was evident on the weekend as the Magpies slumped to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Spurs. Robson is interested in signing Gabbidon as his new central defender, so would have been understandably disappointed to see his target played out-of-position on the right side of the backline as City went down 3-1 in Suffolk on the weekend.

Craig Bellamy has played alongside Gabbidon in the Welsh set-up, and would dearly love his international team-mate to join him at St.James' Park as the Northumberland outfit look to qualify for the Champions League this season. Gary Speed is also believed to have spoke highly of Gabbidon before he left for Bolton Wanderers over the summer, and the words of the former Newcastle captain have tempted Robson to take a closer look.

The transfer window shuts next Sunday, so Newcastle would have to be quick with a bid if they were to secure the services of Gabbidon until the end of the campaign. City owner Sam Hammam has remained tight-lipped on the speculation, but is thought to have put a price tag of £4million on the head of the player, which could be a little too high for Newcastle to take a gamble on.

Scouts from the North East will be at Aggborough during mid-week as City take on Kidderminster Harriers in the opening round of the League Cup, and from there Robson will make his decision whether to tailor a bid for the 25-year-old. He is also believed to be keeping an eye on Nottingham Forest's Matt Dawson, another Championship defender thought to have what it takes to play in the Premiership.

Meanwhile, the London press are also linking Gabbidon's name with a move to Crystal Palace. The speculation in the British capital has little foundation, but Iain Dowie is said to be a keen admirer of the Bluebirds defender and is looking to make a bid in the region of £2.5million before the transfer window closes.

Watch this space...