By Jebediah
July 19 2005

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

A busy day in the papers in terms of transfer news, with Souness appearing to be straight back in the market now the Emre deal is complete.

The Mirror is reporting that we have joined the race to sign Birmingham defender Matthew Upson. Titus Bramble has been sidelined for up to three months with an elbow injury, a result of a freak accident in training, and Souness is now fairly short of defensive cover following the sales of Andy O'Brien and Aaron Hughes. The manager stated that he was in the hunt for a centre back even before Brambles injury, but it appears as though he will step up his search over the coming weeks. Upson has publicly rejected Birmingham's offer of a new contract, saying he feels he is ready for European football.

 Liverpool were apparently all set to take him to Merseyside, but no news came in after that and the club may well have turned their attention to Milito, currently playing in Spain. If this is the case, then the door could be open for Souness to swoop for the Englishman, and make him his third summer signing following the arrivals of Scott Parker and Belozoglu Emre.

Souness' interest in Luis Boa Morte has been know since the January transfer window, and The Sun is reporting that he has all but got his man. It is unclear what stage they think the deal is at, the only clue they give is by saying "Souness has swooped." The article also says Boa Morte will complete his move after agreeing terms and taking a medical, so perhaps they have information about a fee being agreed. It seems very likely to go through, with Souness' interest being well known, and lack of left wingers at Newcastle since Laurent Robert left to join Pompey this summer.

Newcastle made a move to sign Boa Morte in January, only for the player to sign a new contract with the London club. However, it appears that finally Boa Morte is ready to move to Tyneside, in a deal worth £4m according to The Sun.

On the subject of Robert, it appears finally he is able to keep his mouth shut for a bit, and when provoked by a reporter yesterday to have another dig at current Toon manager Souness he merely said "What happened with Graeme Souness is history."

In other news, an interview with Freddy Shepherd from Newcastle's Evening Chronicle is now being quoted in all the national tabloids. All the papers are saying something like "Freddy has laid down the gauntlet" after he challenged his players to play to the standard of their pay. The chairman said "We pay the players Hollwood money and they have a responsibility to perform like a Rolls-Royce." The Mirror's article on the subject has also said that Dyers contract was worth a staggering £80k per week. Reports at the weekend were claiming the same thing, and although many people would not like to believe it, the figure keeps being mentioned.

Finally, The Star is also quoting from that interview, and Shepherd's "fear" that Shearer could retire earlier than planned. Shepherd said "Once he has Jackie Milburns club record - and he only has a few goals to go - then I believe he would just quit if it was not going for him." This might well worry some Toon fans, bearing in mind the distinct lack of strikers at the club already, however Souness has promised he is on the hunt for one, possibly two.