Steeeeeeed

Would be nice if we had a Forum just for Transfer chatter. No big deal if we don't though.

Don't know if someone else already posted this, but....




Full Steed ahead for UnitedJun 8 2006

By Alan Oliver, The Evening Chronicle






Newcastle United are hoping that Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque will be their first signing of the close season.

Fulham are resigned to losing their Belgium-born midfielder, and they are very much aware of United's interest in the 26-year-old attacking player.

Freddy Shepherd said in The Chronicle yesterday that United were on the lookout for attacking players - and midfielders do not come more attack-minded than Malbranque.

United fans saw for themselves just how effective he is when, only two minutes after coming of the Fulham bench, he scored the winner against them at Craven Cottage back in January.




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The word from South West London is that Fulham boss Chris Coleman signed Jimmy Bullard to replace Malbranque, who arrived at the Cottage from Lyon for ?5m in 2001.


Malbranque's contract expires in 12 months and Fulham accept that they have to cash in now or risk losing one of their key players for nothing this time next year.


Malbranque almost moved to Manchester City in the last transfer window, but this fell down at the final hurdle.


I hear that Fulham have slapped a ?6m fee on Malbranque, but in reality they would accept ?4m for him.


And United found out 12 months ago that Coleman is not afraid to dig his heels in when he priced Luis Boa Morte out of a move to St James' Park.


But the difference is that Coleman persuaded Boa More to sign a new and improved contract, and this will not happen in this case.


Coleman is already preparing to spend the money he will receive for the midfielder by bringing in former England striker Emile Heskey from Birmingham City.


Glenn Roeder's hopes of signing Malbranque could well depend on whether Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis is going to give David O'Leary the ?3.5m needed to sign James Milner, who has been on loan at Villa Park from United for the past 12 months.


Certainly if the clubs can agree a fee, Roeder will have no problems persuading Malbranque to leave London for the North East.


For after sharing a dressing with Geordie boy Lee Clark at Craven Cottage for four years, Malbranque will have been told about the joys of playing in front of 52,000 fans every other week.

 

Here it is FFCinPCB:

http://www.fulhamusa.com/index.php?name ... pic&t=1079

 

Sorry, I meant Transfer news in general, not just Fulham Transfer News. Doesn't really matter if we have a specific forum or not. Thank you for the assistance though.