Dan Gosling won't be the final new face at NUFC

Jul 23 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton has promised that midfielder Dan Gosling will not be the last new arrival at Newcastle United this summer.

England Under-21s star Gosling signed a four-year deal with United yesterday after Everton opted not to lodge an appeal over his contractual status, meaning Newcastle have pinched a highly-rated youngster from a Premier League rival for nothing.

Hughton hailed the capture of a “high energy, box-to-box” midfielder but has assured United supporters that, even though he doesn’t anticipate many more new arrivals, he isn’t finished yet.

The United boss said there will be “less than five” additions to his Championship-winning squad and that is likely to mean him bringing in only a midfielder, a defender and striker before the end of the transfer window.

Although that is not extensive recruitment, Hughton says he will not sign players for the sake of it – saying all new arrivals must automatically challenge for first-team football and provide value for money.

“We are working very hard behind the scenes and I’m very confident that we will be able to bring in what we need to bring in,” he said.

“It is a work in progress but we’re making enquiries. I said at the end of last season we don’t need very many, and yes I would anticipate it to be less than five (coming in).

“If someone becomes available that may change, but I think we already have a good squad here and anyone coming in has to add to that. I think everyone appreciates that the days of big spending are in the past at this particular time.

“There will be minimal spending, which means it is about trying to find value for money out there. That is my job as manager and even though we are working within certain restrictions I’m confident that I can do that.”

United hope to bring in Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley and have been linked with defender Sol Campbell, although Hughton has dampened that link.

Newcastle also continue to be linked with Marseille’s talented France international Hatem Ben Arfa, with respected French daily sports paper l’Équipe claiming yesterday that United had requested talks with the player. Hughton

said there had been no contact between the two clubs but he did speak of his admiration for the creative midfielder, and did not go as far as to reject any interest in him.

Although Gosling will fill that midfield void in the long-run, an anterior cruciate ligament injury means he will not play until 2011.

Even so, Hughton believes it is a coup for the club to sign a player desperate to make his mark. “We’re delighted to have signed Dan. He’s the right age and the profile that he has is what makes it such an appealing capture for us,” he said.

“He’s young but has Premier League experience and he’s someone who can continue to develop his game.

“We see him as a high-energy player and a player that can play from box-to-box, but he’s also a young player with experience, so he won’t be fazed by what is ahead of him.”

For 20-year-old Gosling, who exploited a loophole in FA regulations to leave Everton on a free, the lure of possible first team football in his preferred midfield role was clear motivation to move to Newcastle. “It’s a brilliant move for me. Now that the deal is done I just can’t wait to get started,” he said.

“I’ve played at St James’ Park before and know all about the amazing atmosphere. Playing there in a black-and-white shirt is something I’ve thought about already, and it will be a great day when I finally get to walk out in front of 50,000 people.”