Souness Wants THREE New Defenders

By Matthew Jones
November 23 2004

Manager Graeme Sounss is hoping to bring in at least three new defenders in January and to do this, he will be willing to put all other transfers on hold until the summer.

Souness is also hoping to secure contracts for Olivier Bernard and Ronny Johnsen. Johnsen is secure at Newcastle until the end of December, but Souness hopes to keep him until the end of the season.

So far, Newcastle United have been linked with Rangers centre-back Jean-Alain Boumsong and Manchester United's John O'Shea - although the interest in O'Shea has since been denied.

Souness said:

"I'd like three more defenders. There is definitely a chance we will keep Ronny on and I would like Olivier to stay.

"Ronny had to get fit, but he has done well since he came into the team and the shirt is now his."

Souness watched Boumsong play midweek for France in thier game against Poland, and added:

"I only saw him play for the first time on Wednesday night, so talk of us having made an offer is way off the mark.

"I saw some very good players in Paris. He is one, and he played very well on the night."

If Souness was to make a move for Boumsong in January, there is uncertainty as to wether or not a deal would be allowed to go through. The defender only joined Rangers on a free transfer five months ago and a FIFA rule suggests that the £10 million rated defender will not be allowed to switch clubs twice in a year.

Souness said: "I have not gone as far as to check that."