‘Massive’ loan fee for Shola

Mar 29 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

SHOLA Ameobi is likely to complete a £5m move to Stoke City if they are promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season.

Ameobi moved to Stoke on loan until June on Thursday but, according to former United manager Glenn Roeder who had tried to sign the striker for Norwich City this week, the move could be a lucrative one for the Magpies.

He said: “I would have liked Shola here but I was consistently told by Sam Allardyce and then Kevin Keegan that he would not be let out on loan and that he had a future at Newcastle.

“We were always promised a phone call if and when that changed and I found out at seven o’clock on Thursday morning that he was travelling down to Stoke to tie up a loan deal until the end of the season.

“I spoke to Dennis Wise at length and if he is telling me the truth the amount of loan fee that Stoke have paid is incredible. I have personally never heard of a higher fee for such a short period of time.

“Obviously Stoke are gambling that Shola can shoot them up into the Premier League automatically.”

Keegan said: “It’s a good move for him. I initially didn’t want to let him leave, but with Mark Viduka, Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins ahead of him, and with young Andy Carroll staking his claim, it was the right thing to do. It is a chance for him to show what he is all about.”