By Jebediah
July 19 2005

Jebediah’s roundup of Wednesdays tabloid newspapers, and a look at the stories and rumours involving Newcastle United.

With the Emre transfer about to reach a conclusion, understandably there very little news of other transfers, with the clubs hierarchy presumably concentrating on completing the move.

The only transfer story floating around is regarding Luis Boa Morte, and a possible switch to Tyneside. Newcastle apparently tried to sign the Portuguese player in the January transfer window, only for Boa Morte to sign a new contract with his current club Fulham. However, if reports are to be believed, Fulham are now willing to let their man go for a fee of around £3.5m. Although there is no news of a firm bid being made yet, reports in the papers are saying we are ready to move in for our target once the Emre deal is complete.

On the subject of the Emre deal, papers today have quotes from Graeme Souness regarding the completion of the deal, which Souness thinks is likely to be Friday. The manager said "He's gone back to Milan but everyone is happy and hopefully we will get him signed on Friday." Emre flew in to Newcastle on Monday evening ahead of a medical yesterday, before flying back to Milan in the evening.

The main relevant story in the papers today is regarding centre back Titus Bramble, and an injury he has sustained in training. He is believed to have broken his elbow, and could face anything up to three months our of action. With Aaron Hughes and Andy O'Brien recently departing from the club, Souness will have to call on some younger blood to deputise in the clubs InterToto fixture against Dubnica on Sunday, with Steven Taylor likely to get the nod. Taylor impressed vastly last season when he broke in to the first team, and proved he is capable anywhere across the back four. Souness was hoping to bring in a centre back during the summer anyway, and it is likely that he will step up his search now.