United hopeful of clinching triple transfer swoop

Aug 31 2008 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE are hopeful of clinching a triple transfer swoop before tomorrow night’s deadline.

But are set to see Michael Owen snub their new contract offer and open up the prospect of a shock move elsewhere.

The Magpies have agreed to sign Uruguayan midfielder Ignacio “Nacho” Gonzalez from Valencia on a one-year loan deal.

Cameroon left-back Thimothee Atouba is hopeful of completing a move from Hamburg to Newcastle on Monday.

And United are in negotiations with Swiss club Young Boys of Berne over Guinean utility player Kamil Zayatte, who has impressed on trial on Tyneside.

Meanwhile, Chelsea winger Florent Malouda remains on the Magpies’ radar while the possibility remains of Real Madrid’s Robinho replacing him at Stamford Bridge.

But Newcastle are braced for bad news on Owen, who is ready to reject their offer of a one-year £80,000-a-week contract extension.

Owen is unwilling to take a £30,000-a-week pay cut as he enters the final year of his current deal and the prospect of being free to talk to any interested clubs from January.

But Manchester United and Tottenham, depending on the progress of Dimitar Berbatov’s proposed move to Old Trafford from White Hart Lane, and Everton may yet look to tempt Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to cash in on Owen now.

Losing his prize asset would be a hammer blow to manager Kevin Keegan following the controversial sale of James Milner to Aston Villa.

Yet an offer of £8 million or more would be tempting for Ashley, who knows Owen could leave for a fraction of that amount in the new year or for nothing next summer.

Gonzalez will not arrive on Tyneside for at least a week while he is on international duty with Uruguay.

The 26-year-old has only just signed for Valencia from Uruguayan club Danubio, but Valencia coach Unai Emery is willing to part with him because his squad is top-heavy with midfielders.

Tottenham old boy Atouba failed to show on Tyneside for a scheduled medical on Friday, but the Hamburg left-back’s agent, Sven Achnitz, said last night: “The deal is not dead.”

And Newcastle’s executive director Dennis Wise is trying to thrash out a deal with Young Boys of Berne for 23-year-old Zayatte, who can play at right-back, centre-half or as a defensive midfielder.

:: Newcastle have been drawn at home against Spurs in the third round of the Carling Cup which will be played week commencing September 22.