Kevin Keegan must wonder what he has done to upset world football. Newcastle fans will jump on my back with this statement, but it seems that as soon as they are linked to a player, he joins someone else. Tottenham player Luka Modric is a high-profile example of this.
Pablo Aimar has rejected the chance to don the famous black-and-white stripes, agreeing to join Portuguese giants Benfica for €7.5 million, around £6.25 million. The Real Zaragoza forward was heavily linked to the Magpies throughout the week, with Everton also mentioned, but it appears that the lure of St James Park was not enough as Aimar chose Champions League football.
Zaragoza communications director Luis Sol told Portuguese website maisfutebol.iol.pt:
He is about to sign a contract with Benfica. Between Zaragoza and Benfica everything is sorted out. The doors are open for Aimar to become Benfica player.
Keegan is also eyeing West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand, who also looks set to snub a move north. Having sealed the signing of Danny Guthrie from Liverpool and Jonas Gutierrez from Real Mallorca, are Newcastle fans at all worried about the ‘targets’ that King Kev is missing out on? Or are they happy with the squad they have, considering there was a late-season burst of form from the Magpies?