Newcastle united

Viana wants to stay in Portugal
Newcastle's Portuguese midfielder Hugo Viana expects his future to be sorted out within the next two weeks. The 22-year-old has spent the last season on loan at Sporting Lisbon and he says he wants to stay in Portugal. "As far as my future goes, I don't know what is happening but the chairman Freddy Shepherd is trying to make the best of the situation," he said. "He knows how I feel and he is trying to help me. I am confident everything will be resolved within two weeks." He added: "I have been in France with Sporting over the weekend and although one of the club's directors was with us, he did not speak to me - I think that tells its own story. "Right now, I am a Newcastle player. I have not been told to report for pre-season training because I do not think anyone at United really believes I will come back. "Everyone knows that I want to stay in Portugal but it is out of my hands." Viana joined the Magpies from Sporting for £8.5m in 2002.

Van Buyten confirms Souness talks
Belgian international defender Daniel van Buyten confirmed that Graeme Souness had approached him about a possible move to Newcastle. "I have spoken to Graeme and he said he wants me and five or six others," Van Buyten, 27, told Sky Sports' website. "He said next season Newcastle will go for the Champions League. He also said they will try for the league title." Van Buyten's agent Christophe Henrotay has said the Hamburg player would consider a move to St James' Park. "Newcastle are looking for a central defender and he is a very good one, so why not move to England?" he told BBC Sport. "Newcastle are a top club in England though they had a bad season, and the Premier League is the Premier League. "Daniel is still under contract so it's difficult to talk about a transfer, but England would be a good move. "The Premiership is a very interesting league, one of the best in the world. "But he will not go looking for a move. He's only just got to Hamburg, he's the captain and was just named in the Bundesliga team of the year as well." Van Buyten, 27, currently plays for Hamburg but had a loan spell with Manchester City two seasons ago. He moved to Hamburg on a four-year contract last summer and captained the side last season. The player added: "I do not know yet if I will even leave Hamburg, but they are not in Europe next season and I want to play in the Champions League, that is my ambition."

Ramage signs new Magpies contract
Newcastle United defender Peter Ramage has signed a new three-year deal. The 21-year-old made just five appearances last season, but has been assured of his future at the club by manager Graeme Souness. "I am delighted to have signed a new contract," Ramage told the club's official website. "I've been here for more than 10 years and Newcastle United is my club. To be given the opportunity to prove myself at first-team level is all I want."

Kluivert agrees Valencia transfer
Former Newcastle striker Patrick Kluivert has agreed to sign for Spanish club Valencia on a free transfer. The Magpies had an option to sign the 28-year-old for a further two years, but did not take it up after the Dutchman's disappointing year. Kluivert's transfer to Valencia is subject to a medical on 9 June. Kluivert arrived at Newcastle on a free transfer from Barcelona last summer, but started only 14 Premiership games for the Magpies, scoring six times. Despite his infrequent appearances, Kluivert finished last season as Newcastle's second highest scorer, with 13 goals, six behind Alan Shearer. If Kluivert passes the medical he will sign a three-year contract with Valencia, the Primera Liga side said. "Valencia is an enormous team and therefore I am very excited about this agreement," Kluivert was quoted as saying by Dutch media. "I have good memories of Spain and therefore I'm glad to make my return, I'm looking forward to playing in the Primera Liga again." Kluiver made his name as a 19-year-old when he scored for Ajax in their 1-0 victory over AC Milan in the 1995 Champions League final. He moved to AC Milan in 1997 for £7.5m but after a frustrating spell joined Barcelona where he was reunited with former Ajax coach Louis van Gaal and played an important part in helping them win the league title in 1999. A consistent performer for the following three years, he had a miserable final season at Barcelona. During that season he was jeered by Barca's fans and spent two months on the sidelines and scored just eight league goals in 21 appearances. Last season Valencia finished seventh following coach Rafael Benitez's departure to Liverpool. Kluivert's signing by Valencia follows that of Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Edu who will join the Spanish club on 1 July on a five-year deal.

Souness denies disrepute charge
Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has denied a Football Association charge of bringing the game into disrepute for criticising referee Barry Knight. The FA made the charge after Souness' comments in the wake of his side's 2-0 loss by Everton on 7 May. The Magpies boss was heavily critical of the performance of Knight - in a game in which Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi was sent off. Souness, who had until 6 June to reply, has not requested a personal hearing. Disciplinary chiefs are set to consider the case, based on documentary evidence, over the next few weeks. "Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness has denied a charge of failing to act in the best interests of the game and/or bringing the game into disrepute (breach of FA Rule E3)," said an FA statement. "He has not requested a personal hearing. "The charge related to post-match media comments following Newcastle United's Premier League match against Everton." Knight was also the referee when the Tyneside club's midfielders Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer had their infamous on-pitch brawl against Aston Villa on 2 April. He dismissed the duo but Souness was critical of a penalty award that Knight had given in that game, which he believes helped lead to Dyer and Bowyer scuffling. Souness stated after the Everton game that Knight had apologised to right-back Stephen Carr for giving the spot-kick against Villa. The Newcastle manager was also critical of the free-kick Knight gave to Everton, which led to the Merseysiders' first goal. Earlier in the season, Souness was fined £10,000 and banned from the touchline for a game for hitting out at referee Howard Webb's performance following his side's 4-1 home defeat by Fulham on 7 November. On that occasion, he was granted a personal hearing, but later admitted the charge and withdrew his request for the opportunity to explain his actions.

should you not be on your honeymoon!!!

Yes, but a man has to get some fresh air some times

Shepherd denies Carver exit claim
Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has rejected claims that academy director John Carver has left the club. Carver, who has been linked with the vacant manager's job at Hartlepool, had reportedly resigned from his role. "John is on holiday and the report of his supposed resignation is news to me," Shepherd told the club's website. Carver took the academy director job in September last year after being relieved of assistant manager duties when Graeme Souness joined the club.

Perrin keen on Robert for Pompey
Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin is keen to bring Newcastle winger Laurent Robert to Fratton Park. Perrin sees Robert, 30, as a possible replacement for Patrik Berger, who was released at the end of last season. But Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric may be deterred by the £4m price tag Newcastle have placed on Robert. Perrin told BBC Radio Solent: "We're looking for a left-sided player and Laurent is someone I would like to bring to the club." The Pompey boss said: "We're looking for several players, most of all a left-winger, a central defender and a centre-forward." Despite his undoubted talents, Robert found it difficult to command a regular first-team at Newcastle under boss Graeme Souness, with whom he has had a difficult relationship. Robert declared after Newcastle's final game of last season against Chelsea that it was his last for the club. He started just 20 Premiership games last season, and many of his appearances were from the substitutes bench. Former Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson signed Robert from French club Paris St Germain in August 2001 and he still has a year left on his contract. Meanwhile, Perrin could be taken to an industrial tribunal in France by his former club Troyes. Troyes claim Perrin owes them £700,000 as part of an agreement when they allowed him to terminate his contract early in order to take over at Marseille.

Bowyer faces court after bust-up
Newcastle's Lee Bowyer has been ordered to appear in court after his on-pitch bust-up with team-mate Kieron Dyer, Northumbria Police has confirmed. Bowyer, 28, has been summonsed to Newcastle Magistrates' Court but no action will be taken against Dyer, 26. England midfielder Bowyer has been charged with a public order offence. Bowyer's lawyer Steve Barker said: "It's our intention to have the decision to prosecute him reviewed judicially in the High Court." Barker said the reason they had decided to challenge the police action was "because we have very real concerns that the decision has been made for political rather than legal reasons". The agent, who said Bowyer would not be making any comment himself, told BBC Radio Five Live: "He hasn't been charged because it's not a chargeable offence. "He will be summonsed to answer information that he has committed an offence under Section Four of the Public Order Act. In simple terms it's called threatening behaviour." Barker added: "I spoke to him this morning and he's very upset. He has apologised privately, he's apologised publicly. "He's taken his fine, he's taken his suspension from both the club and the FA. And he's entitled to say 'why me? Why aren't you prosecuting other footballers who've done much worse than me, other sportsmen who regularly administer much more serious injuries'. "I mean, no one was injured in this". The fight was captured by TV cameras and seen by 52,000 fans during the 3-0 home defeat by Aston Villa on 2 April. Northumbria Police launched an investigation into the incident, which was broken up by team-mate Stephen Carr and Villa's Gareth Barry, after a member of the public expressed "concerns". Both players were sent off by the referee and were subsequently banned by the Football Association. Bowyer received a four-match ban while Dyer was out for three games. Bowyer was given a record six-week fine by his club, believed to be about £200,000, and a final warning.

Woodgate set to train all summer
Real Madrid's England defender Jonathan Woodgate is back in training and will work on his fitness all summer to be ready for the start of the season. Woodgate, 25, has recovered from the thigh injury that kept him out of action for the whole of 2004/05. After working alone throughout June, he will join up with the rest of the Madrid squad when their pre-season training begins in July. He has not played since joining Madrid for £13.4m in August 2004. The former Newcastle star has had a history of injury problems, which limited him to only 37 games in 20 months at St James' Park. Last season he was sidelined by several recurrences of the same thigh problem.

Souness steps up chase for Parker
Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has stepped up his attempts to sign Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker. Parker, 24, is also being pursued by Everton and Tottenham, but Souness has made further contact with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has admitted Parker can leave the Blues in order to gain first-team opportunities. Parker, who moved to Chelsea from Charlton for £10m in January 2004, started four league games last season. Souness earlier said: "He is a player we like very much and we are definitely interested in signing him. "He's a player I've admired for a very long time and there is no question he will be an excellent signing for us." Souness has also confirmed he is keeping tabs on Turkey international Emre Belezoglu of Inter Milan, although he is yet to make a formal approach for the midfielder. However, Souness admitted the club's chances of landing Hamburg's Belgium defender Daniel van Buyten appear to be receding.

Valencia postpone Kluivert move
Valencia have postponed the signing of Patrick Kluivert after a medical check up showed an injury to his left knee. Valencia's sports director Javier Subirats said the club will decide whether to sign the striker after he completed 20 days of treatment. "We wanted to present Kluivert today but there is a problem with his knee due to an operation he underwent 21 days ago," Subirats said. The 28-year-old ex-Newcastle striker will have treatment in the Netherlands. "Hopefully, his condition will improve because we're interested in this player," Subirats added. Valencia finished seventh in last season's Spanish league, a year after winning the Primera Liga and Uefa Cup. Kluivert, 28, played one season in the Premiership with Newcastle after a six-year spell at Barcelona. He started only 14 Premiership games for the Magpies, scoring six times. Newcastle rejected the opportunity to take up the option for a second year on his contract, leaving the former Ajax and AC Milan striker free to leave.

Pompey open talks on O'Brien deal
Portsmouth have been given permission to speak to Newcastle's Andy O'Brien. The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland defender is due on the South Coast to discuss the move, which will end O'Brien's four years on Tyneside. Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie said: "We are still a long way from signing Andy, though the first steps of talking to him are underway." O'Brien, a £1m signing from Bradford in March 2001, has made 172 appearances for Newcastle, 11 as a substitute. His contribution has included big Champions League games against Dynamo Kiev, Feyenoord, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen. However, the Harrogate-born central defender has had to cope with the criticism thrown at a rearguard which has been blamed repeatedly for the club's lack of tangible success. Loanee Sylvain Distin and former Leeds defender Jonathan Woodgate have come and gone, while Titus Bramble and Jean-Alain Boumsong have joined at great expense. Although O'Brien has at times had to take a back seat, he nevertheless signed a year's contract extension in January as Souness tied up his immediate future. However, a series of below-par performances towards the end of last season saw sections of the crowd target O'Brien, whose confidence suffered as a result.

Incoming: Toon talking Turkey Later editions of Monday's Chronicle claim that Newcastle have had a £4m bid accepted for Inter Milan's 24 year-old Turkish midfielder Emre Belozoglu. But while it goes on to say that United are ready to fly out to meet the player, it's uncertain whether we are ahead of the other Premiership clubs that Milan confirmed over the weekend had also made offers for Emre. Incoming: Get Parker Stay with us on this one.... Despite a lack of apparent activity surrounding our alleged acquisition of Chelsea's 24 year -old midfielder Scott Parker, we understand that this deal will ultimately be concluded in our favour. Tuesday's Mirror newspaper claimed Parker was in the region for a medical - we're still trying to confirm this. Departure: OB goes - with a heavy heart... reunited again It's now been confirmed that Andy O'Brien has signed for Portsmouth this morning after passing a medical at Fratton Park. However our man in the know tells us that his delight at completing the move was very well-hidden and like Aaron Hughes before him. O'Brien is a reluctant departee. Confirmation of the move came from Portsmouth - along with the fee, £2m. Departure: French leave: still destination tbc Newcastle confirmed on Monday that Laurent Robert had been given permission to speak to Bolton Wanderers. However, the Lancashire end of the deal has expressed surprise over agent -led talk that the move was past the post. A Trotters spokesman said on Monday: "Contrary to reports, Laurent Robert has not agreed personal terms with Bolton Wanderers, nor is he due to undergo a medical.” And although Bolton are interested in the man from Reunion Island, it does appear that the door isn't yet closed totally on the earlier Portsmouth connection. Youth international: Eddie in action What was described by the official FIFA reporter as a "powerful performance" from Newcastle Academy player David Edgar helped Canada's U19 side to a 1-1 draw against Syria in Tilburg on Sunday in the World U19 Youth Championships. A goal behind after only two minutes, Canada hit back with the young Magpie (who only turned 18 last month) influencing the response from a midfield role rather than his more usual central defensive slot. And the more advanced position allowed Edgar to get forward to test the Syrian goalkeeper on a number of occasions as Canada successfully pressed for an equaliser then went in search of a winner. Our lad played the full ninety on Sunday and will hope to be involved again on Wednesday when Colombia provide the oppostion in Tilburg, followed by Italy in Kerkrade on Saturday. Outgoing links: Departure lounge Laurent Robert - awaiting news of Bolton signing or interest from elsewhere, Portsmouth still being linked. Andy O'Brien - now confirmed as having gone to Pompey. Darren Ambrose - looks like being one of a number of signings Charlton hope to announce in the next week. Lee Bowyer - the subject of some comments from Birmingham boss Steve Bruce, which may or may not translate into a firm bid. Steve Harper - sources in Glasgow insist Celtic's interest is real but that their first priority lies in finding bodies to fill outfield positions. Souness now quoted as saying he wants to keep his two keepers. Craig Bellamy - nowt new - Celtic web page carries claim of possible extended loan for next season. Hugo Viana - radio silence. Nicky Butt - ditto. Jermaine Jenas - rumours persist that he could yet be a surprise departure. Shola Ameobi - paper talk only of West Brom, Spurs interest as far as we can see. Shay Given - Souness now quoted as saying he wants to keep his two keepers. Incoming links: Arrivals Emre Belozoglu - see above Scott Parker - inching towards a conclusion with the selling club dragging their feet. Monday's Chronicle confirmed that the rumoured £6.5m bid we made had not been accepted by Chelsea. Shaun Wright-Phillips - blown out of the water by Newcastle chairman, see transfer talk below. Mark Viduka - see Lardarse Link below Daniel Van Buyten - all quiet on this one Sylvain Distin - see transfer talk below - link to Villa has resurfaced. Robbie Keane - nowt new (player injured) Yossi Benayoun - story died following non-display for Israel against Eire. Brett Emerton - rubbished by Blackburn. Brad Friedel - nowt - wouldn't fit in with latest Souness comments on keeping Given and Harper. Bolo Zenden - suspicion that the player's agent / father may be trying to shake the tree by his claims of toon interest.

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