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Newcastle to change their transfer policy for Liverpool target?

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On the field Newcastle United and Liverpool are battling for a Europa League place next season, maybe even Champions League qualification, and off it they’re reportedly fighting for a Barcelona star. According to the Metro, the Magpies and the Reds are both interested in Barca midfielder Seydou Keita who is set to leave the La Liga champions in the summer. However, given Keita’s age, would Newcastle really change their transfer policy to land the 32-year-old?

My initial thoughts are that this rumour is a non-starter, as far as Newcastle are concerned anyway. Alan Pardew has repeatedly stated that Newcastle are not willing to sign anyone over the age of 26 as Mike Ashley wants there to be a sell-on value for any player that they purchase, something that Keita wouldn’t offer. Available for £5 million with wages of £80,000-a-week, the Mali international just doesn’t offer any sort of long-term options and Newcastle wouldn’t be able to recoup any of the cash in the future.

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However, there is no secret that Newcastle are keen on African players. Newcastle already have Senegalese duo Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse in their ranks, in addition to Ivorian Cheik Tiote, so Mali midfielder Keita would become part of a quartet. But then you have to take into account there’s another African Cup of Nations tournament next year and then the next one will take place two years later, so Keita would be away for two tournaments over the next three years, which is hardly ideal considering how important the aforementioned trio are to the Toon.

Liverpool could be a more likely destination for Keita, whose contract with Barcelona runs until 2014, as the Reds might well want some international experience in the middle of park to complement the youthful British side that Kenny Dalglish is putting together. Liverpool are thought to have been tracking the player for a number of months and did even consider making a bid in January. Again, like with Newcastle, the signature would be going against Liverpool’s apparent transfer policy, though.

Having played over 100 times in La Liga for Barcelona and earned 70 caps for Mali, there’s no doubting that Seydou Keita is a very good player. However, I think the only time Newcastle would have bought the midfielder was when he left Lens for Sevilla in 2007 and the Magpies will now be looking for a younger model. As for Liverpool, well then maybe a move to Anfield has more legs, which will be going for the 32-year-old as he comes to the end of his career.

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11 comments

  • Paulfc says:

    Newcastle may be battling for a europa league spot but Pool are aiming for Champions league, thats the difference between the clubs, that and the fact Liverpool are a super power in Football and Newcastle are a small side who have never won anything and whom will be losing yet another good striker because the owner is stupid. Anyway I don’t believe the reds want Keita, at 32 he’s way past his sell by date. But on the off chance they do he wouldn’t be pondering which side to join it would be a no brainer, the problem lays with would he get into our side….Eh nope

    • Phil K says:

      The voice of the scouse arsehole.
      Despite the efforts of the media to present them as knowledgeable, likeable, and lots of -able’s (the media is more like Liverpool supporters club) the rest of the country have in the last couple of years (those not stupid enough to let the press tell them what to think that is) started to realize that Liverpool fans are as bad as Man U’s in their being gloryhunters, and feeling they “deserve” success because they are Liverpool, and that they are wonderful because the press say so, (and so do they – there are no mirror kissers like them)
      In the main, they are detestable shitbags, as this jerk shows clearly.

    • Sparkytoon says:

      And this is why people despise Liverfool and their fans. Arrogant obnoxious tramps.

      • Dave says:

        5 times dream on lad u prick who r Andy
        and Jose playing for

      • DaveWestAus says:

        LFC fan since 1952;;; Paulfc,I’m absolutely disgusted with your arrogance!!! Newcastle have a good history if you care to check the records.
        It is the likes of you that cause animosity and hatred between good fans & friends.You obviously have no idea of the close friendship between Newcastle & Liverpool people that has been there for years,(war time!).
        However, Sparkytoon,your comment is’n’t much better.The vast majority of Liverpool people are very friendly,to all!

    • axwel says:

      speak for ur self, i respect newcastle,great history, bril comeback from second league, and way better transfer policy than liverpool have!

  • HJC96 says:

    Think you’re both bang out of order. First –

    PaulFC, an OOT no doubt, this is not how us ‘pool fans think. You are the type that give us a bad name.

    Sparkytoon, not much to say to you really, never been to Liverpool then as you obviously have no idea of the people there, plus the fact half of the city are blue noses.

    Both of you need to get a grip.
    YNWA

  • Bill says:

    You all need to get a grip. Whether Seydou Keita wants to come to LFC or NUFC is irrelevant as both clubs owners have a policy of buying younger players. If an older player should become available on a free transfer then that would be a different case, as long as their wage demands are reasonable.

  • Phil K says:

    Nice to see there are Liverpool fans who AREN’T what my own personal experience have them marked down as.
    I recall despicable spite against Newcastle when Newcastle recovered from losing their first three games in the Champions League to progress after winning the next three (Juventus, Dynamo Kiev and Feyenoord) while Liverpool went out in anj “easier” group – my jaw dropped at the disgusting attitude, and the cockney Talk Sport presenter was astonished and equally disgusted – but it was without exception. ALL callers and emailers from Liverpool were as bad as each other. It was “an embarrasment for English football” that Newcastle had progressed and Liverpool had gone out.
    My attitude and view of Liverpool changed there and then, and has never recovered. While there has been some good responses from the likes of HJC96, and DaveWestAus, and axwell, I can honestly say since the days of Liverpool dominance, I have read more pompous attitudes like Paulfc than theirs, sadly.
    As bad as Man U fans, actually. TBF all clubs have these kind of “fans” – and they’re STILL better and more reasonable than the bloody London and Manchester football journos towards Newcastle !

  • lualua17 says:

    Toon fan and totally agree with the comments of HJC96, DaveWestAus and Axwel both comments are out of order. Personally I have no problems with Liverpool fans and thought they always had a close relationship with us now the Mackems on the other hand 😉 .

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