Martins in Toon sights
Aug 9 2006
By Alan Oliver, The Evening Chronicle
Obafemi Martins of Inter looks dejected during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Inter Milan
Newcastle United are hoping to start talks with Inter Milan for one of the fastest guns in European football.
Glenn Roeder confirmed he was on the trail of Nigerian hit man Obefemi Martins as United prepared for their UEFA Cup clash with Ventspils here in Riga tomorrow night.
Roeder said: "If Martins became available then we would be interested."
United were making checks on Martins today after the striker asked for a transfer following the return of Hernan Crespo to the San Siro Stadium.
Roeder knows the most important thing about Martins, who played in Inter's 1-1 draw with Watford last night, is that he is one of the fastest strikers in Europe and this is exactly what United need.
Amady Faye became the third player to leave Newcastle last night and the way is now clear for Roeder to bring in some new blood and not just in the striking positions.
United's boss told me today here in Latvia: "We are talking to three or four different players at the moment."
One of those is Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen while, as the Chronicle revealed last night, if Ashley Cole goes to Chelsea there is every chance that Wayne Bridge will join his former Stamford Bridge colleagues Celestine Babayaro, Damien Duff and Scott Parker at St James' Park.
It was noticeable when United arrived at Riga Airport that both Roeder and Freddy Shepherd were straight on their mobiles at baggage reclaim.
And I hear that Shepherd is using his world-wide contacts to bring new players to St James' Park before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
A United source said today: "Michael Chopra and Lee Bowyer have gone and so too now has Amady Faye to Charlton Athletic.
"This is what happened at this time last season when we had an influx of players going out and just as many coming in.
"We can make no promises but what we can say is both the chairman and the manager are pulling out all the stops."
Gravesen is now surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu Stadium and United have got as far as talking personal terms with the Danish international, who has turned down the chance to return to Everton and a move to Celtic because he favours wearing the black and white shirt.
And it could be that Gravesen will sign early next week to add some stature and steel to the United midfield.
Meanwhile Roeder, who woke up to blue skies and a very pleasant day in Latvia today, was busy on the training ground ready to supervise United's workout at Riga's national stadium at 3.45pm.
This differs from the usual procedure of training on their opponents' pitch the night before a game because this was the only time made available to United.
But Roeder insisted: "We trained at a local stadium after we arrived yesterday and I'm not unhappy at having to go to the Skonto Stadium this afternoon."
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is set to push through at least two more transfer deals ahead of the new season after Sol Campbell's move to Fratton Park was confirmed.
link