United's hope are fading fast

Posted on 4th January 2007

Newcastle United's hopes of signing Southampton player Gareth Bale are fading fast today. Southampton have turned down a £3 million bid from Tottenham and a £5 million bid from Manchester United. The Saints value the player as closer to £7 million and are desperate to keep a hold of him it seems.

Newcastle United have been monitoring the situation and manager Glenn Roeder has admitted that he was a player on his wish–list. It was an uncharacteristic admission from a manager who prefers to play his cards close to his chest on transfer matters but it would appear his hopes of landing the teenager are now very slim.

The Southampton player is a set–piece specialist and since bursting onto the scene late last season has become one of the hottest players in the Football League. Already this season Bale has netted five goals – the first of which came on the opening day of the season against Derby County. Saints boss George Burley has not wavered from his view that the club is under no pressure to sell and even Bale seems to want to stay.

Having seen fellow academy product Theo Walcott leave the south coast this time last year for a seat on the Arsenal substitutes bench, Bale has played down talk of him leaving in the coming weeks. "There is a lot to be said for playing week–in, week–out in the Championship as I have been doing. I am loving it and it would be nice to think I can make it into the top flight with Southampton next season," said Bale.

Earlier Newcastle United news

Given urges Newcastle to make signings
Huntington gives praise to patched up side
Butt picked out by Fergusion
Roeder says thanks to players
Another suitor for Newcastle United
Roeder has things to think about
Roeder positive on UEFA Cup draw
Chelsea subs complemented us says Ramage
Roeder has done a realistic job
Owen's desire drives him onwards
Roeder wants focus
Magpies have turned the corner
Doyle is the man to stop says Given
Rossi set to return to Manchester United
Yellow card was unbelievable