By Matthew Jones
May 2 2004

PSV striker Mateja Kezman has stated that he would favour a move to Newcastle United over Premiership rivals Birmingham City. The thing is though, do we want him?

If he was to join us, I doubt he would want to stay.  He has stated that he would use a move to St James' Park as a "stepping stone" towards joining the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal or even Champions-League spot rivals, Liverpool.

Kezman said:

"I want to move to a middle-ranked English Premiership side, spend three seasons there, score a minimum of 10 goals per season, qualify for one of the European competitions, and move as a proven player to Liverpool, Manchester or Arsenal.

"It was those three clubs that suggested that to me. They said: `Mateja, you are a good player but you are not ready for the starting XI'.

"If I were only chasing money, I would wait until my contract expires and move to a bigger club where I would see more action in the stands than on the pitch.

"Both clubs (Birmingham and Newcastle) fit the profile I suggested before. But Newcastle are currently the better side and they have Champions League ambitions.

"Offers are coming in and PSV and my agents are dealing with them."

Manchester City, Aston Villa and Fulham have also been linked with Kezman, although as far as we know, only Birmingham City have made an official enquiry.

Is Kezman the right person to replace Shearer? Would you rather have Kezman or Smith? Do you even rate Kezman? Let us know on our message board, or e-mail jones_ufc@hotmail.com with your views!