Luque finally heads for Newcastle after Owen rebuff
Michael Walker and Dominic Fifield
Friday August 26, 2005
The Guardian
Newcastle United last night finally accepted defeat in their pursuit of Michael Owen and instead, according to Francis Martin, one of the agents involved in their latest move, agreed to pay Deportivo La Coruña £10m for the forward Albert Luque.
Luque is expected at Newcastle's training ground this morning, with the player saying in Spain last night that he is fit and ready to play against Manchester United on Sunday at St James' Park.
Article continues
"I am happy that a deal has been done," he added. "The Premiership is an excellent league. It is up to the coach but I am prepared to play on Sunday. To be in the team next to [Alan] Shearer would be a huge personal satisfaction to me."
Luque, 27 and a Spain international who can play wide as well as centrally, was withdrawn from his club's training session yesterday morning and is understood to have agreed a five-year contract. His arrival should help the under- pressure Newcastle board to stem some of the tide of vehement criticism they are facing locally.
Many new faces had been promised for the close season but earlier this week Luque's seemed to be the latest Newcastle deal to fall through.
Newcastle have been anxious to appease fans after a goalless start that has brought one point from three games.
Supporters turned on the board during the 2-0 defeat at Bolton on Wednesday, with the chairman Freddy Shepherd receiving sustained abuse, though he is not the biggest shareholder.
Liverpool's previous manager Gérard Houllier, now at Lyon, has made inquiries about his former club's striker Djibril Cissé and is believed to have £8.5m after failing to land Milan Baros, who opted for Villa.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will make a late decision on the fitness of their captain Steven Gerrard for tonight's European Super Cup match with CSKA Moscow in Monaco. Gerrard travelled yesterday but Rafael Benítez said that Gerrard needs intensive treatment on a calf injury and he will delay selecting the team until this afternoon.
Harry Kewell, last seen limping off during the European Cup final in May, who has endured operations on groin and hernia problems this summer, is also in the squad.
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Quite the shock of this morning, one of the very best Spanish goalscorers and by far the most important player for his club last year, Luque has swapped the fashionable La Coruna for the even fancier Newcastle
I sure hope this isn't the start of his downfall, it's be a real shame for the national team.
Michael Walker and Dominic Fifield
Friday August 26, 2005
The Guardian
Newcastle United last night finally accepted defeat in their pursuit of Michael Owen and instead, according to Francis Martin, one of the agents involved in their latest move, agreed to pay Deportivo La Coruña £10m for the forward Albert Luque.
Luque is expected at Newcastle's training ground this morning, with the player saying in Spain last night that he is fit and ready to play against Manchester United on Sunday at St James' Park.
Article continues
"I am happy that a deal has been done," he added. "The Premiership is an excellent league. It is up to the coach but I am prepared to play on Sunday. To be in the team next to [Alan] Shearer would be a huge personal satisfaction to me."
Luque, 27 and a Spain international who can play wide as well as centrally, was withdrawn from his club's training session yesterday morning and is understood to have agreed a five-year contract. His arrival should help the under- pressure Newcastle board to stem some of the tide of vehement criticism they are facing locally.
Many new faces had been promised for the close season but earlier this week Luque's seemed to be the latest Newcastle deal to fall through.
Newcastle have been anxious to appease fans after a goalless start that has brought one point from three games.
Supporters turned on the board during the 2-0 defeat at Bolton on Wednesday, with the chairman Freddy Shepherd receiving sustained abuse, though he is not the biggest shareholder.
Liverpool's previous manager Gérard Houllier, now at Lyon, has made inquiries about his former club's striker Djibril Cissé and is believed to have £8.5m after failing to land Milan Baros, who opted for Villa.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will make a late decision on the fitness of their captain Steven Gerrard for tonight's European Super Cup match with CSKA Moscow in Monaco. Gerrard travelled yesterday but Rafael Benítez said that Gerrard needs intensive treatment on a calf injury and he will delay selecting the team until this afternoon.
Harry Kewell, last seen limping off during the European Cup final in May, who has endured operations on groin and hernia problems this summer, is also in the squad.
===
Quite the shock of this morning, one of the very best Spanish goalscorers and by far the most important player for his club last year, Luque has swapped the fashionable La Coruna for the even fancier Newcastle
I sure hope this isn't the start of his downfall, it's be a real shame for the national team.
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