Diatta Deal Done
By Tyne-Talk
March 6 2008
After the will they won't they speculation surrounding the signing of Lamine Diatta, he has finally signed for Newcastle United. The last 2 days have been a minefield of reports suggesting the defender firstly will be joining the club & then that he had backed out at the last minute or Keegan had pulled the plug. Whatever really happened, he has now signed a contract until the end of the season.
Everything looked set yesterday as it was announced that pending a medical the Sengal International would be putting pen to paper, with the possibility of a role against Liverpool at Anfield at the weekend.
Talks stalled earlier today as the two parties could not agree personal terms. It seemed manager Kevin Keegan warned that he was not interested in playing games and would quite easily drop his interest if things were not wrapped up quickly. The next batch of reports on the media wave suggested a done deal. Whatever Keegan said was effective.
However. Diatta is said to have refused to sign the 9 month contract on offer by the club, instead favouring a deal till the end of the season only.
This would make more sense from the clubs point of view as it gives them 10 games to assess him and if he really is good enough for the Premier League (having been untested previously) then there is always the option of extending his contract. Should he not settle in Newcastle then come the end of the season he can pack his bags and leave.
Diatta will not be playing against Liverpool as previously suggested. He hasnt played competitive football since his stint at the African Cup of Nations and needs a few weeks to regain full fitness levels.
WAT WER SCORE 8-0.
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
NEWCASTLE MAKE ME LAUGH
Just leave him Tuny.
The Eastenders of football.. Newcastle!