Duff on brink of Toon switch
Newcastle are on the verge of pulling off a major transfer coup as they head into this afternoon’s vital Intertoto Cup clash with Lillestrom.
While Glenn Roeder and his players were concentrating on the business of securing UEFA Cup qualification, club officials were working behind the scenes to tie up a £10m (€14.6m) swoop for Chelsea winger Damien Duff.
The Magpies confirmed last night that the 27-year-old Ireland international had agreed terms and was undergoing a medical with a view to completing a move to St James’ Park.
A club statement confirmed: “The board of Newcastle United PLC are pleased to announce that contracts have been exchanged with Chelsea Football Club for the transfer of Damien Duff. The player, having agreed terms, is currently undergoing a medical.”
Having been linked to a lengthy list of potential targets already this summer, chairman Freddy Shepherd had managed to keep his approach for Duff quiet until yesterday. He has moved swiftly to strike the deal.
Roeder declined to confirm the club’s interest in the former Blackburn player, who cost Chelsea £17m (€25m) three summers ago, as he conducted his pre-match press conference at the Arasen Stadium in Oslo.
However, Duff’s imminent arrival will provide the manager and his squad with a significant boost following a frustrating few weeks on the transfer market.
Alan Shearer’s retirement and Michael Owen’s knee injury had left United short on firepower and attacking verve, but the recruitment of a man who was also wanted by Tottenham will rekindle hopes for the new season.
Duff would be all but guaranteed a place in the starting line-up at Newcastle, whereas at Stamford Bridge, the enviable strength in depth enjoyed by Jose Mourinho meant that was not always the case.
His arrival may leave a question mark hanging over the future of £9.5m (€13.9m) Spaniard Albert Luque, who endured an unspectacular first season on Tyneside.
Luque too is left-sided and capable of playing both wide and as a striker. With Roeder desperate to strengthen his attacking resources with new faces, a reasonable offer for the former Deportivo La Coruna player could prove successful.
Duff’s recruitment would do season-ticket sales little harm, and he is unlikely to be the last arrival before the closure of the transfer window.
The extent of that investment, however, could depend largely on whether or not the Magpies will be playing meaningful European football during the coming campaign. They were held 1-1 in the first leg by Lillestrom, and defeat in the tie would be costly.
