Transfers: Speed, Kluivert, Butt, Carr Updates

By Martyn Osmond
July 19 2004

Newcastle's return from the Far East has sparked off transfer speculation surrounding many of their potential dealings for the next few weeks, both ins and outs.

Patrick Kluivert was quoted on his official website as having said the following:

"There have been a lot of stories about who I will be signing for next season, but no decision has yet been made. It is true Newcastle have shown an interest in me and I am very interested in them too.

"There is willingness from both parties, but I have yet to meet anyone from the club face-to-face. However, I am looking forward to hearing more from Newcastle, which will hopefully be next week when they return from their tour of the Far East.

"There is one thing I would like to set straight though. I'm hearing that the newspapers say I'm asking for £80,000 a week and that the club are only offering £40,000 but I can promise you this is all nonsense. 

"I haven't asked for a penny yet - how can I have done when we haven't even met face to face yet? And the club haven't offered me a penny."

The current speculation is that chairman Freddy Sheperd will try and broker a season-long loan deal, with Barcelona paying half of his wages, and then an option to make the deal permanent next summer.

Meanwhile, speculation over Gary Speed's future continues, with Speed having thrown his winner's medal into the crowd following Sunday's victory over Kitchee and then refusing to speak to the press. Latest rumours around Toon link him with a move to either Bolton or Fulham, where his former Wales teammate and good friend Chris Coleman is the manager, and he may be offered a player-coach job.

Other possible departures include young striker Richard Offiong, who was not included in either the squad for the far East trip or the squad to face Shildon last Friday, and Portugese midfielder Hugo Viana, who is still in Portugal with his family.

Other rumours in this morning's paper claim Stephen Carr will join United for a cut price fee in the next few days as he is refusing to sign a new contract at Spurs, and that Nicky Butt will follow him, possibly on loan. James Beattie's agent is also quoted with some rubbish about a swap deal involving Shearer returning to the South coast side where he started his career. Methinks not.