Transfers: Speed Bids Accepted? Kluivert Medical?

By Matthew Jones
July 20 2004

The latest transfer news regarding Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed and Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert.

According to reports today, both Bolton Wanderers and Fulham have had bids of £500k accepted by Newcastle for Welsh international, Gary Speed.  The midfielder was also wanted by Middlesbrough, but it appears that they have dropped their interest.

Speed threw his winner's medal into the crowd following Sunday's victory over Kitchee and then refusing to speak to the press, so could this be it? 

Sir Bobby is keen to land Manchester United and England midfielder Nicky Butt to replace Speed.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports News reported yesterday that Patrick Kluivert is to arrive at St. James' Park today in order to take a medical.  It was reported that the Dutch striker would then sign for The Magpies' on a Season's long loan deal.

Other sources however, claim that Freddy Shepherd is expected to meet Kluivert's representatives in the next couple of days in a bid to reach a deal, so the medical reports cannot be confirmed.

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."

Paul Foortse, Kluivert's agent, was on Tyneside last week to open negotiations between the parties and, is expecting things to be sorted one way or another by the end of the week:

"We're not expecting any big surprises. We're hopeful because there is a willingness from both parties. Both parties want to have an agreement, so we're optimistic.

"It's now a matter of going ahead or not, so we expect before the end of the week that it should be finalised or it will not be finalised. But we hope to finalise it before the end of the week."

More news as it arrives