News coming out of the Netherlands today suggest rumoured Newcastle United target Rafael van der Vaart is being chased by several top flight european clubs. Whilst this news will be of no suprise to Keegan and football fans alike, it is news that will continue this summers trend of pulling the rug from under frustrated Toon fans feet.
It is common knowledge that KK see's a replacement for Emre as a big priority but it seems a long shot to convince a player who is increasingly re-discovering the blistering form he once showed whilst at Ajax a few years back to join the club. With three indifferent seasons at Hamburg the flying Dutchman looked his former dazzling self last season and his performances for the Dutch in the on-going Euro Championships have now attracted the attention of several top clubs.
With Mike Ashley determined to cut costs at Newcastle with some bizare measures it has to be said, it seems Toon will not have much to offer van der Vaart even if a bid is made and accepted. With no european football, offering the versitile attacker a hefty wage packet would seem to be the only way to divert his attention from the likes of Inter Milan and his former club Ajax. And even if he decides he wants to move to England with european football not a personal priority, it will be difficult for Keegan to compete with even Manchester City's spending agenda.
Just what the blue-print sitting on Mike Ashley's desk looks like is anyones guess but with no movement in the transfer window so far, Emre Belazoglu already on his way out and fans favourites Michael Owen and Geordie boy Steven Taylor still no closer to new contracts it is more than understandable that fans are getting nervous. Rumoured exits for Charles N'Zogbia, Damien Duff, Shola Ameobi, James Milner, Emre, Joey Barton and Stephen Carr only add to the nerves and the situation regarding Oba Martins is also unclear with Arsenal still looking on.
Reports of moves for Spurs rejects Anthony Gardner and Younis Kaboul, aswell as a host of other unknown fringe players around europe can only add to the unrest which is becoming more and more doubtfull of Mike Ashley's plans for the club. With constant rumour that he plans to sell up to an American group it's hardy the kind of exciting developments fans expected to happen this summer. Infact when you put all of these things together it does smell quite unpleasant.
Whilst Keegan will no doubt point to the fact that the Euro Championships are taking place and slowing his recruitment plans, he will know deep down that Dennis Wise isn't cut out to be a scout, let alone Director of Football. It must be frustrating for Keegan to see Wise and Jimenez so far firing way wide of their targets. Other news today reports that even 15 year old Aaron Spear has turned down a move to Toon. It's very worrying from a fans point of view.
Targeting the likes of Tottenham fringe players would completely rile the fans who already think the London influence is far too great and just how the Toon boardroom will explain such a policy remains to be seen but with a 10% increase on season tickets to coincide with that is taking the perverbial.
It should have been a summer of excitment and anticipation but instead it's another summer of frustraion and uncertainty that is sure to continue the trend of the past few summers of fans going on holiday still none the wiser and spending more time in beach-side internet cafe's than on the beach itself.
Should things not improve very quickly SJP could very well join the growing number of half full Premier League stadiums that show that fans DO desert their clubs when it becomes a choice between paying the mortgage and watching a mid-table team.
Reports of Ashley making players buy their own suits, regardless of this being important or not, makes the club a laughing stock and the constant reference to cost cutting reported in the the national press will certainly not help with the recruitment drive. And the fact that most of these reports are circulating in London before filtering their way up North like some kind of Chinese whisper is disturbing from a fans point of view. Whilst it's always nice to see a certain Mr Oliver starve of exclusives, this is something which is annoying the Geordie faithfull.
Just where this will all go is anyones guess but a big signing or 2 would be welcomed now more than ever!