By Tyne-Talk
January 26 2008

As reports fly around suggesting Jonathan Woodgate has re-signed for Newcastle United, his current team Middlesbrough have eased their way into the fifth round of the FA Cup after a televised 2-0 in against Mansfield earlier today.

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has this week encouraged speculation linking Woodgate with a return to Tyneside after he gave the following comments:

"At the moment, he is one of a number of players we have talked about,"

Referring to the increased interest in the former Newcastle player by London side Spurs, Keegan said:

"I am not surprised others are interested. He is a great leader. He is 28 and I gave him his England debut and I know him well."

The last week or so have been fuelled by rumours than Jonathan initially started talks with Newcastle but then turned his attention to Tottenham. These however have been refuted by sources close to the 28year old who suggest that he has not travelled to London at all to discuss anything with any club, other reports suggested however that representatives for the player travelled instead.

Yesterday things changed when the news broke than Woodgate would NOT be signing a contract with Spurs despite confirmed that they were interested.

Woodgate is currently on £70,000 a week at Middlesbrough and questions have been raised as to whether Newcastle would be willing to pay that to such an injury prone player.

Woody played 37 games at Newcastle between 2002-2004 before moving to Spain to join Real Madrid for £13.4Million, he endured a nightmare start with injury forcing him out and then an own goal 13months later, in his comback match saw him sat on the sidelines once again. His break in Spain came in 2006 when he became a regular in the starting lineup. He moved to Middlesbrough on a 1 year loan deal at the beginning of the 2006/07 season which consequently became a permenant arrangement in April 2007, when he signed a 4 year deal.

The defender who has made 16 appearences for Boro this season and received 4 yellow cards has missed out on an appearence in this seasons FA Cup should he move to Newcastle then that opportunity will not arise until next season.

If reports are true then Woodgate will be joining former teammate Mark Viduka who moved from Middlesbrough last June as well as those he teamed up with in his previous appointment at the club.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has tonight confirmed he has given permission for Woodgate to speak with both Newcastle and Spurs:

"The latest is that we have given him permission to speak to Newcastle and to Tottenham.

I think a fee is agreed with Newcastle, but I don't know if a fee is agreed with Tottenham.

He has got a decision to make, whether he wants to be part of what we are doing or whether he wants to move on somewhere else."

We have got strength in the centre-half areas that's for sure, but it's most importantly about what Jonathan's feelings are.

If he wants to be part of what we are doing, then fantastic, and we are delighted to have him with us.

If he feels it's the right thing to move on, then he goes with our best wishes."

When asked if he had spoken to Woodgate about his decision to leave the club, Southgate said:

"I have done that throughout the season. I have had plenty of conversations with him.

He has got the opportunity now to make the decision he wants to make."

We are awaiting confirmation on this appointment


Meanwhile Middlesbrough have also lost 20 year old striker Ben Hutchinson who has this week signed a precontract for Celtic.

Fee Agreed For Woodgate - NUFC Yet To Confirm

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 26/01/2008 17:01

TyneTalk
26/01/2008 17:01

Fee Agreed For Woodgate - NUFC Yet To Confirm

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becksa09
26/01/2008 17:20

perhaps some good news today at least....

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Rob-15-92
26/01/2008 17:54

It was clever losing today as now Woodgate has less games to be injured in! We could always do what we did the other year with Roeder. . .

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toonscout
26/01/2008 17:54

On SSN they just said that Keegen said, after arsenal match that Woody would not be joining newcastle.

Hope not True

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Dub
26/01/2008 17:58

Just seen the interview he's not coming and KK said he was very disappointed looks like he's off to Spuds

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