Four fifths ours

According to the player, Obafemi Martins transfer to Newcastle is now 80% complete.

Quite what the remaining 20% is, I'm not sure?

At a guess, I'd say that we must have agreed a fee with Inter, presumably having reached a conclusion as to the player's age and relative worth. On top of that it sounds as though his wages must have been sorted, and all that's left is some haggling over the size of his signing on bonus, and for him to pass a medical.

Alternatively, it could simply be that the player is happy, and that it's his agent's 20% cut that needs to be sorted.

Either way, his signing can't come soon enough, given the doubts currently hanging over Shola after the knock he picked up on Saturday.

What is heartening about the whole thing is Roeder's desire to find somebody to play with Shola, not take his place in the team. I may have had my doubts about Ameobi in the past, but if he continues to use his undoubted talents as he has done in recent games, then I'll be happy to see his name on the team sheet for a long time to come. The prospect of him linking up with a player of reportedly exceptional pace is a very exciting one indeed.