Analysing the transfer gossip – 5th July: Part 2: Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and more

Newcastle United look set to pull out of the race to sign Wigan Athletic striker Arouna Kone, 29, because he does not fit into the Magpies’ “blueprint”.

Full story: Newcastle Chronicle

What’s the story? Well, the use of ‘blueprint’ here is designed to question the club. The blueprint being Joe Kinnear’s idea of how to improve the club, and the local media is vehemently opposed to him.Does it make sense? It would have made sense to sign him, so not signing him doesn’t make sense.Is the price right? Believed to be available for £6m which would be great value for a player capable of getting 15+ goals.Will it happen? 0/10 – If even the local press give up it it’s not happening. He will move somewhere, but not Newcastle evidently.