Have money, have transfer speculation: Newcastle

Newly appointed Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has high expectation riding on him. He’s famous for resuscitating careers and getting the most out of lost cause players. So what is Allardyce planning for Newcastle and who is he targeting?

For starters its rumored that the new manager will be given just one season to prove he can handle the job, new majority stakeholder Mike Ashley has been making the wrong kinds of headlines thinking that Allardyce will put up with it. He will be pressured for a European place and is said to be getting 45m to spend on players. If that transfer kitty is accurate, Allardyce should have no excuses anyway.

First problem for Newcastle to solve is up front. There is lots of speculation surrounding Michael Owen's future at the moment but I doubt he will leave, Obafemi Martins is another story, he was a no-show at Watford after claiming himself unfit and has since turned a lot of heads with comments emanating from his camp about a new club. First order for Big Sam is to turn this situation around. Martins scored 17 goals last season and was inspiring. He’s a top striker and Newcastle really need him. They also need cover up front (Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll probably won’t cut it) and with that is the story that they are on the trail of Barcelona and former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen. Gudjohnsen, a former Bolton player wants to leave Barca and has a good relationship with Allardyce, recall he scored 21 goals in his only season at Bolton.

Second on that list should a Gudjohnsen deal not emerge is Mark Viduka, and don’t discount a deal with Robbie Fowler or Darren Bent.

Second priority at Newcastle is at the back. Allardyce has already let Titus Bramble leave as well as Oguchi Onyewu, Craig Moore, Olivier Bernard and Pavel Srnicek. The rumor is that Sol Campbell is on the top of the list, he’s looked revitalized at Portsmouth and would fit the role well. Its another story whether he can be convinced to move from the south of England.

Beyond that, the other options tipped for a move are Liverpool’s Sami Hyypia, Bolton's Tal Ben Haim and Aston Villa’s Jlloyd Samuel. All would probably do fine at Newcastle and I would imagine it will be Campbell and Ben-Haim. Robert Huth has also been mentioned as a long shot.

For the midfield, players like Keiron Dyer look set to depart the club. I have not seen too much speculation in this area, except for Bolo Zenden being tipped for a move from Liverpool, especially if they sign Simao. While Zenden is not the exciting superstar everyone surely wants, he’s dependable and won’t cause trouble at the club. He’ll play where he is asked to and will work hard. Would I sign him? No. There are midfielders I would though:

Out wide Stuart Downing might do really well at the club and why not either of the Portuguese players Simao or Quaresma? Simao, heavily linked to Liverpool for the longest time, would bring bags of excitement to the north, Quaresma is ever the showman but inconsistent in his flashes of brilliance. Speaking of Portuguese, wouldn’t central midfielder Manuel Fernandes who was on loan at Everton do well? I was really impressed with the Benfica player all season.

How about an attempt to lure Riquelme back from South America? He’s brilliant. Rio Mavuba from Bordeaux is top class. Liverpool, after their new signing has a glut of central midfielders, Momo Sissoko would do well. And lastly, how about a swoop for Juninho from Lyon… 10 goals from free kicks a year guaranteed.

The biggest longshot of them all has to be a speculated loan deal for David Beckham. I would serve myself lunch on a trash can lid should that happen. I wouldn't want him anyway.

These are exciting times for Newcastle. The team could really turn it around for the first time in years. Should the money come thru, Big Sam can be trusted to spend it well.