Nothing unusual in that. Two are three clubs show an interest - without actually making any bid - and the Easington-born player says he wants first team football and will listen to any offers.
Then the dust settles and Harper makes the same statement year after year: "I'm happy at Newcastle and I will stay and fight for my place".
It must be a lonely life being substitute to Shay Given for a number of reasons. First (and most important) must be the fact that Given is arguably one of the top three goalkeepers in the Premiership, and Irish boss Steve Saunton insists he is the best in Europe! Which is great news for everyone at Newcastle, but it can be a bit of a bugger for Harper who has very little match practice in years - and how do you get him out apart from putting Teflon on his gloves?
Then, in this day and age when we never see an ever-present in ANY team and players drop a shift for any excuse, Given NEVER hands in a sick note.
So, when the Irish international pulled up sharp with a back injury in Latvia on Thursday, Harper was off that bench like a greyhound out of the traps. But, it was all in vain, and Shay is ready for the new campaign and poor Harper will be warming his arse on the bench ... again.
Given: "Hopefully it will settle down in the next few days. Just before half time I felt a sharp pain in my back and I think it is a muscle strain. I took some painkillers but still had a problem kicking long balls.
"Hopefully it will settle down in the next few days."