Steven Taylor transfer listed by Magpies
Newcastle defender Steven Taylor has been transfer listed after failing to agree at new contract with the club. The highly-rated centre-back has reportedly been offered £40,000-a-week, but was holding out for the princelier sum of £60,000-a-week.
With both parties so far apart in terms of valuation, Chris Hughton has been left little choice but to put the defender up for sale, or risk losing him for free next summer. The situation will have come as a surprise to many, as Taylor, being a born and bred Geordie, looked destined to remain on Tyneside for probably his whole career, especially after sticking with the Magpies after relegation last year. But as it is with present day footballers, money talks, and the England U-21 international knows he will have no shortage of takers. Chelsea were strongly linked this time last year, and may return this summer since they are short of cover in the defensive areas following the sale of Ricardo Carvalho. Indeed, you’d envisage most Premier League clubs taking an interest in the Newcastle defender, especially with the home grown rule coming in this season.
One stumbling block may prove to be the defender’s current injury situation. Having dislocated his shoulder in pre-season, he’s set to be sidelined for another three months, meaning he will see very little action before Christmas. Despite his in-demand status, not being able to play much before the opening of the next transfer window, and next registration period, could mean no-one would bother registering him in their 25-man squad until January – thus leading to many clubs waiting until then to make their move.
Whatever happens, it seems a shame that such a passionate and boyhood Geordie would walk out on his beloved club over a contractual issue. With the reported wage demands on the table, you feel most Newcastle fans would side with the club rather than the player on this one too.
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