Kinnear issues a transfer warning

Jan 14 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

JOE Kinnear last night told the Newcastle United hierarchy they risk relegation unless they give him more money to spend in the transfer window.

The Magpies manager is hopeful of signing three players this week – two on loan, one a free transfer – and selling one, but with only nine senior outfield players fit for tonight’s FA Cup third-round replay at home to Hull City, he feels he needs more.

Kinnear pleaded his case at a hastily-convened meeting with managing director Derek Llambias, football secretary Lee Charnley and assistant manager Chris Hughton. Owner Mike Ashley was in contact by telephone. “We need funds,” was the blunt assessment from Kinnear, who was told when the transfer window opened he would have to sell to buy. “We will go through all the ideas we have for players and put the ball in Mike’s court.”

Apart from confirming he hopes to sign trialist Peter Lovenkrands on Friday, Kinnear refused to name names when it came to his other transfer activity, but is optimistic of imminent movement.

Kinnear claimed United have agreed a fee for the sale of one of his players, possibly Besiktas target Geremi. By his reckoning, the transfer fee and saved wages amount to £4.5m. “That will go into the pot to get someone else,” he explained. “Talks are ongoing and he has to decide with his wife if he wants to go.

“That will suck up one player but we need two or three. If we get the loans and get Peter on Friday that will be three new faces. I will then have to bite the bullet until the rest are fit.

“I am aware of the situation. We are just three points ahead of Spurs.”

Of the prospective loanees, Kinnear added: “They’re central midfielders. One Argentine, one Italian. They’re both internationals but not playing in the Premier League. They are fringe players but have experience, which we need.

“They’re on the bench for their current

clubs but we’ve sounded out the clubs. We weren’t in a position to do what they wanted in terms of buying but struck a deal to get them on loan. It’s £350,000 for one and £400,00 for the other until the end of the season.

“I will know about those in 48 hours. If they are okay we should be in better shape for Blackburn (who Newcastle play in the league on Saturday). But the club may have offered the same deals elsewhere and others may be prepared to pay more.”

Out-of-contract former Rangers winger Lovenkrands is on a week-long trial. “It looks okay,” Kinnear said. “He has accepted an offer until the end of the season. Hopefully we can make something permanent at the end of the week.”

The injuries which have dogged Newcastle for years show no sign of abating. Andy Carroll will be unable to build on Saturday’s debut goal after straining his hamstring against West Ham United. And injuries to Steven Taylor and José Enríque could mean a full-back pairing of David Edgar and Hungarian teenager Támas Kádár at St James’s Park tonight.

With Habib Beye, Cláudio Caçapa, Joey Barton, Geremi, Alan Smith, Shola Ameobi, Mark Viduka, Ignacio González and Obafemi Martins also injured and goalkeeper Tim Krul on loan, United have a full team of senior players – plus substitute – unavailable, with only Carroll thought to have a chance of facing Blackburn.

Kinnear refuted rumours of interest in Birmingham City’s Nigel Quashie and Aston Villa’s Nicky Shorey, and talked down the daily comment from Charles N’Zogbia’s camp.

“There have been some changes at Newcastle recently,” the 22-year-old Lyon target noted on www.lyoncapitale.fr. “I have experienced six different managers in four years, and it is too much.

“Every season is getting worse and worse despite the lofty goals of the club. I therefore decided to leave, to try to find better exposure.”

But Kinnear countered: “We are not in a position to let anyone go. We can’t event thinking about letting the key players go.”

He also claimed United agreed a deal for midfielder Stephen Appiah, recenlty released by Turkish side Fenerbahçe, only for the Ghana captain to join Tottenham Hotspur on trial.