Fulham To Make £2m Move For Newcastle RB Danny Simpson

[White Noise]

Danny Simpson being monitored by Fulham FC


by Mark Douglas, The Journal



May 21 2012




Danny Simpson in action for Newcastle United


FULHAM are monitoring the long-running contract saga of Newcastle United defender Danny Simpson.

United are ready to cash in on Simpson after growing fed up of his reluctance to sign a new £25,000-a-week deal and although the player wants to see out the remaining year on his contract, Newcastle have begun circulating his name to fellow Premier League clubs.

And that has alerted the Cottagers, who are ready to offer Simpson an escape route by tabling a £2million offer.

The 25-year-old would ideally like to stay at St James' Park but wants parity with other first-team regulars and has swapped agents in a bid to try and re-start contract negotiations. In an interview published yesterday he refuted claims of "greed".

But there have been no talks for a couple of months and Alan Pardew was forthright in his views that Simpson may have to move on if he doesn't accept the offer on the table.

That has prompted interest from several Premier League sides, with West Brom and Aston Villa also credited with an interest. But Villa's change of manager means their interest may have cooled - leaving Fulham as the front-runners for Simpson's signature.

Simpson said: "I'm not a greedy player and I just want to be on par with the other players around me. In football terms, what I'm asking for is by no means outrageous.

"I want to stay at this club and I've been saying that all season. I've recently had a baby, I'm happy here and so is my family. Hopefully me and the club can find some

solution. I want to stay but if I have to move, then I will accept it and move on."

That is perhaps understandable but Simpson is popular in the dressing room and it could be regarded as a blow for Pardew to lose another of his English core.

Even though he knows he may lose him, the Newcastle manager has certainly been petitioning the defender to sign his new contract and would ideally like to move forward with Simpson as his first-choice right-back next term.

But United are investigating alternatives at right-back, with Magpies top brass looking at the possibility of switching Davide Santon from left-back and signing a versatile defender who can play in several positions.

They also have a long-standing interest in Lille defender Mathieu Debuchy and Crystal Palace's Nathaniel Clyne, although his price tag might prove prohibitive.

If Santon was shifted then United could look to Erik Pieters as a possible alternative. The Holland left-back has been on United's wanted list for more than two years – but he is injured at the moment.

Whatever happens, The Journal understands that the United boss has been told to fund some of his transfer purchases this summer.

Newcastle will announce their retained list early this week with Alan Smith (pictured above), Peter Løvenkrands and Danny Guthrie all set for the chop. Smith's wages will give Pardew some freedom and a money-spinning trip to South Africa in July should also top up his transfer war chest. But other moves may have to be financed by selling players, with Leon Best also available for around £1.5million and Nile Ranger on offer for £250,000.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are set to add to their pre-season programme with a trip to South Wales to take on Cardiff on August 11.

United have already lined up a money-spinning trip to South Africa to play Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates before a high-profile friendly against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal. But reports in South Wales claim Newcastle have been offered the chance to play Malky Mackay's Championship side, who were defeated in the semi-finals of the play-offs in the week before last.


Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2012/05/21/danny-simpson-being-monitored-by-fulham-fc-61634-31010593/#ixzz1vUL5Kn1z

[NorthernWhite]

He's been very good at Newcastle and I'd be more than happy to see him here.

If he's turned down 25K though, how much would he want here, 35K per week?

[The Rock]

I think there's little question our weakest link is RB. He's done well for Newcastle, and his age and price are right. Why am I not that excited about him?

[LRCN]

would be a great, great buy but cant see it.

[Jack Fulham]

not sure he'd join, first choice rb for Newcastle isn't he?

He's good but I don't think he's 30/40k a week good.

[SmithyFFC]

Would be a brillant signing, but can't see us paying a right-back over 25k a week unfortunatley!

[Bassey the warrior]

I'd definitely welcome him here.

[Oiseau]

Sounds brilliant! I really rate him and £2m isn't a bad price especially given his age and that he's English. Doubt it'll happen, though. Might be a bit suspicious if Pardew's willing to sell him because it seems too good to be true - the last few players he's sold off seem to have experienced slight dips in form.

[BalDrick]

Quality player, spent his youth at (Manchester) United so he's been taught well. Love to see him join us

[White Noise]

Would be a brillant signing, but can't see us paying a right-back over 25k a week unfortunatley!

I would reckon that Riise is on more than that at left back though.

[EJL]

He won't come. I heard somewhere that he's statistically been the best right back this year, taking into account tackle completion, cross completion, pass completion etc.

[MasterHaynes]

It makes you wonder if they mean what they say and want him to stay, as £2m seems a give away price even with just a year left on his contract? Sounds too good to be true but would grab him at £2m with a £2m signing on fee for his pocket and £25-30k a week. A deal that gives him a chunk of money but keeps him within our pay rates and is good deal for us, a good young full back would cost a minumum of £4-5m.