United miss out on Liverpool’s Sami Hyypia

Feb 1 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE have failed in a beat-the-deadline bid for Liverpool’s Sami Hyypia.

But manager Joe Kinnear last night admitted interest in midfielder Miguel Veloso and striker Luis Garcia as he counts down to the close of the transfer window.

Kinnear moved for veteran Finnish defender Hyypia on Friday in the hope of landing him on a two-year deal.

But Reds boss Rafa Benitez blocked the move, insisting Hyypia could yet play a significant part in his side’s bid for silverware on three fronts.

And it is uncertain whether Hyypia himself, with a testimonial and a possible coaching role in the offing at Anfield, would have been keen on the switch.

Although 35, Hyypia was seen by Kinnear as the perfect player to organise a Newcastle back four lacking a talker.

“I just think we need somebody experienced in there,” said Kinnear. “We’ve got some decent players but it’s a communication thing.”

Newcastle have already had a loan enquiry for Veloso knocked back, and while Bolton boss Gary Megson last night bowed out of the race for the £12 million-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder, Kinnear called him “a realistic target”.

Amid talk of United swapping left-back Jose Enrique for Garcia, Kinnear also admitted he has spoken to the Atletico Madrid striker’s agent.

But, as things stand, the only Toon transfers looking certain to go through before tomorrow’s deadline are the sale of Shay Given to Manchester City and the part-exchange deal in which Wigan will give Newcastle around £6 million and utility man Ryan Taylor for Charles N’Zogbia.

Meanwhile, Kinnear’s parting shot to N’Zogbia was to brand him “a big baby” in front of his soon-to-be former United team-mates on Friday.

“I just think Charles needs to grow up. He’s a big baby — and I’ve told him that to his face,” said Kinnear, following N’Zogbia’s vow never to play for him again after the United boss forgot his name in a TV interview.

“He says some of the most ridiculous things,” added Kinnear. “I don’t think he understands what he’s saying half the time.

“He needs to focus on his football, not all the outside things that go with it that twist his head.”

Latics boss Steve Bruce said: “It’s up to us now to convince the boy Wigan is the place for him.

“He can come and enjoy himself, come and kickstart his career if you like, where it seems to have gone a bit sour in the North East.”