Shefki Kuqi linked with move to Newcastle.

Kuqi's bellyflop goal celebration.
The race to find another striker is ermm, hotting up, and another name has been linked with a freebie move to St James’ Park today.

Shefki Kuqi is now apparently in the frame for a move to Newcastle and is top of Alan Pardew’s budget bin list, although this is only according to the Daily Mail. The same paper claims that we are looking at Ewerthon and have held talks with Jeremie Aliadiere.

To be honest, none of them really inspire me, but let’s roll with it and see what happens. It’s a rubbish situation to be in, but I’m trying to remain positive throughout it and have my fingers crossed that any free transfer will pull of the same kind of performances that Antoine Sibierski managed for us.

Kuqi is 34 now so will only ever be a short-term solution, although in fairness I would hope that any free transfer is only a short-term solution. The Finland international is available on a free after cancelling his contract with Swansea by mutual consent.

Kuqi has had 14 clubs in his senior career, so you could say he gets around a bit, and most of his experience has been in The Championship. He did have one stint in the Premier League with Blackburn and managed seven goals, but that is pretty much it.

The physical presence that Kuqi would bring to the team is said to be something that Alan Pardew likes, although I would argue that we seem to play better football when the easy option of lumping it forward to the big man is removed.

To be honest, as I and many others have said before, I’d rather us not rush out and do something hasty and sign a player for the sake of it, especially if it’s a player that, in all fairness, isn’t that fantastic. It’s our only option in terms of recruitment, but I would prefer to give a young lad a chance if I’m being honest.

Still, time will tell, and no doubt the rumour mill will be in full flow until something is done with regard to our striker predicament. Expect more bargain basement names to be mentioned soon!

The excitement is killing me (sarcasm).

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

47 thoughts on “Shefki Kuqi linked with move to Newcastle.

  1. Am I correct in thinking that if we’d rewarded Sibierski with a 2 year deal, he would still be here till the end of this season. I think we messed up there like. 🙄

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  2. No idea how the guy plays footie but what a great name! Shefki Kuqi the Kuqi monster. So much fun to say 😆

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  3. Agree with toonsy that I’d rather give a youngster a chance then some of these but if I did have to pick one it would be just Kuqi. For the two reasons that he’s big and powerful and till the end of season I’d rather have that than some skinny huffy frenchman, also that he scores more (slightly more) then Alidiere.

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  4. So I hear Ameobi is supposed to be fit much earlier than 2months? The return of Hoof ball! Will be really glad to see him back though, some propper knockdowns and set piece threat, and he’s a good one for Ranger to come on for later in games…Lovenkrands just seems finished now really, didn’t see why people kept pushing for loven over Shola at the beginning of the season, let alone now.

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  5. Don’t know how Best’s injury is doing but if he is ok for Saturday think he and Ranger should start. Glad Lua Lua, Vucik and Gosling will be given a chance once fit.

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  6. Would sy no to kuqi n alidaire. Short term or not neither are good enough.

    Think Ewerthon could be worth a shout , i admi i havent seen much of him but is meant to have a decent enough record in european leagues.

    I would rather Vuckic to get a run tho , but if h is only coming back from injury i think another player wouldn do any harm

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  7. Jill-Aye Best is good to start for Blackburn this weekend apparently. Apparently Ranger also picked up a knock..but it looks like we’ll be starting with them two up front.

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  8. speaking of ranger, what a great impact he made on saturday. His hold up play was top notch like

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  9. Yeah agree ilm , he just needs to add goals to his game and i get the feeling once he gets one he will be up and running

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  10. ILM: agree on Ranger’s contribution on Sat. On the rare occasion when he’s started, he’s looked poor, though. But that was a long time back and perhaps he’s learned enough now. Hope so. Incredible ability when it comes to setting up goals for others – especially Nolan.

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  11. Pardew’s made it clear that he is not looking for someone to take over a starting spot from AC. That is coming from our existing squad. What he’s after is backup for when they get injured, and I suppose this Kuki lad may fit the bill. I know nowt about him, but 14 clubs at lower levels says nothing to recommend him for the post. Ewerthon sounds a better bet, but perhaps too much dosh?

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  12. Not be long now Toonsy till you get to that big 100…… Oh you have, ‘for he’s a jolly good fellow; for he’s a jolly good fellow’ and so on. 😛

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  13. Does anyone else think Besty needs some specific coaching on positioning? He’s done well a couple of times, but just seems to be a few feed away from the ideal spot when the ball comes in, so often has to stretch or correct when he strikes the ball.

    If they can teach it to Carroll (who is, by all acounts, a bit nice-but-dim) then surely they can do the same with Leon?

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  14. Whumpie

    I think thats something you can’t teach to a degree. Its the poacher instinct of being in the right place at the right time and you either have it or you don’t. I was quite pleased at some of the positions Best was taking up when playing alongside a ‘target man’. Shola and Andy used to go to the same post and get in the way of each other but Best was taking up an alternative position, waiting for the 2nd ball.

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  15. Yep, Shola and AC did have that problem. Besty seems to just have his instinct ‘honed’ a bit. Very frustrating to watch. It doesn’t help that he reminds me a bit of the guy in Hot Fuzz who says “Yarp”. 😐

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  16. Whumpie – I’ve said pretty much that about Best in the next article, which is ready but will be up about 12:21pm 😉

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  17. Aslong as he keeps giving 100% which it sounds and looks like he is doing, thats all we can ask for really. 4 goals in 5 in the league aint that bad, could have been 5 goals, that is a goal per game after all.

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  18. Aye he looks dodgy as @#!> when he tried to head it and it bounced up and then he hit it, but some strikers are just like that and they score goals. He has a canny left foot which is a bonus.

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  19. hahahaha I remember that header, it sort of hit the top of his head didn’t it and ballooned up, was saying he must have a head like kryton! 😆

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  20. Kuqi, Aliadiere.. is this really what it’s come to?
    If it’s true that there has been interest then I think we should go all out to sign Ewerthon, surely a much better (but likely more expensive) option?

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  21. Man! As soon as I heard we were looking at free agents I said (over a pint and with heavy sarcasm) that we should sign up the Kuqi monster. Would personally like to see Phil Airey at least promoted to the bench.

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  22. this guy is gash, but all we need is back up. best has got potential seems to have knack of being in right place at right time, has been getting plenty of chances. even in the fulham game he could of scored. he will come on loads with games and good coaching. i sort of think it aint that bad we didnt get a replacement for the gypsy in as we can find out how good ranger and best are this season before having time to find another striker in the summer

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