Sunday transfer tittle-tattle.

There is a fair but of transfer speculation about today so rather than go mental and use it for several articles I thought I'd round it all up into one handy review for us all.

At this point I'll do my regular disclaimer when it comes to speculation. Remember that I am just the messenger and all I'm doing is rounding up the various bits of gossip with regard to transfers. That's right; gossip. That means you can take it with a pinch of salt, or a bucket, whichever you prefer, but it's all up for debate so here goes.

The Sunday Sun has a fair bit in it this morning. Apparently the club are close to announcing a deal for an "international midfielder" and could make it public as early as this week. No name is mentioned but it could be anything from a new deal for Joey Barton to Stephen Ireland to someone we don't actually have a clue about. Or Seb Harrison Larsson. Here is what Alan Pardew had to say in the matter:

“I think we’re close on one player which we would like to get over the line,” Pardew claimed. "And I can say that because he’s an international player – not someone who belongs to one of the bottom four battling relegation. There are two or three others we’re monitoring and we know what the figures are to get them over the line.”

With regard to strikers it would appear that a move for Connor Wickham is NOT on the agenda of the club. At the fee being thrown around for the services of the player I'd be inclined to agree with that assessment. Gervinho's wages are apparently proving to be a stumbling block whilst Jeremey Menez, Shane Long and Jose Rondon are all still being watched by the club.

Moving onto potential deals, and it would appear that the club are set to open talks with Wigan regarding a move back to Newcastle. The club are apparently set to offer wages of £60,000-a-week to lure the player back to St James' Park. Hmmm.....

Rumours abound that Cheikh M'Bengue could be a Newcastle player within two weeks according to The Mirror. Presumably he'll be signed as a replacement for Jose Enrique rather than the cover that we so desperately need.

However, talks with Jose are scheduled this week after Liverpool have apparently cooled their interest over their unwillingness to match his current wages. According to the Sunday Sun Jose is the second highest paid left-back in the league, behind Ashley Cole. Hmmm.

For those who follow what that Twitter fella says, his latest pearl of wisdom is pictured below...


Make of that what you will.

As I said earlier, it's all gossip so don't take it too seriously. The only way we'll know for definite if any of these deals are to come of is when the club announce it officially on their website.

Until then, speculate away!