Santon is coming to Toon
Confirmation, last night, that our quest for a left-back has now been completed, with the arrival of Davide Santon for around £5m from Inter Milan. With 'keeper Rob Elliot also arriving yesterday for an undisclosed fee from Charlton (who presumably will drop their tapping-up claim), we've filled two of the gaps which recent departures have left in our squad.
With less than 14 hours to go until the transfer window closes, .com report that we're still looking to add a couple of players to the squad. Logically one must be the striker we've been lacking since the closure of the last transfer window.
Whether the other is a midfielder to replace the departed ASBO or further defensive cover following Mike Williamson's recent injury remains to be seen.
Here's hoping we're able to report on further arrivals and no departures as the day unfolds.
With less than 14 hours to go until the transfer window closes, .com report that we're still looking to add a couple of players to the squad. Logically one must be the striker we've been lacking since the closure of the last transfer window.
Whether the other is a midfielder to replace the departed ASBO or further defensive cover following Mike Williamson's recent injury remains to be seen.
Here's hoping we're able to report on further arrivals and no departures as the day unfolds.
Labels: davide santon, rob elliot, transfer window
posted by Paul at 9:20 am
1 Comments:
The Santon deal makes sense - we were crying out for a left-back, and he'll give us cover at right-back too.
But the Elliot deal is very odd indeed. It suggests two things: (a) no faith in the long-term prospects of Fraser Forster and Ole Soderberg (but if so, then why on earth wasn't the former flogged when Celtic bid cash for him?) and (b) the view that Steve Harper won't last much longer at the top level.
And then there's the matter of the five-year deal - our standard practice now, it seems, but it seems absurd to be giving that kind of a deal to a League One 'keeper. Perhaps, as Paul's speculated, the move also suggests doubts over our ability to retain Krul's services once his contract expires in 2014. The way he's playing, that wouldn't come as a great surprise - but if that's the case then surely we'd be better going for a more established 'keeper nearer the time?
The wisdom of five-year deals in general is questionable. As I noted a while back, it ties talented players to the club for a long period of time and means that we can demand hefty fees if clubs come sniffing - but it does also mean that out-of-favour and unwanted players sitting around on the wage bill will be difficult to move on. The club already seems to be realising that with Nile Ranger...
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