THBN

I just heard the news on the passing of one of the greatest footballing figures to have ever graced our game, Sir Bobby Robson.

You will be missed.

My thanks goes to you and to your family and close friends.

RIP SBR.

I personally think all this talk about us being interested in Michael Turner has only circulated because Hull are also playing in the Far East and more importantly, because we need to sign a defender.

Michael Turner is a great centre half. I’ve seen him play a few times and the lad means business. Whether we can get Hull to part with their star player is another matter as they’re having problems of their own in signing anyone decent.

If it was a tussle between us signing Turner or Bassong, I’d definitely go for Turner. He’s stronger on the ball and scores a few to.

On another note, it seems that Darren Bent has made his way back down south after Sunderland agreed and then disagreed on the amount we want for him. Depending on what you read, Levy was holding out for around £15 million. That’s a decent price for a striker that will most definitely get them 20+ goals a season.

Robbie Keane and Villa have also been mentioned in the same sentence. As I’ve said before, I cannot see Keano starting many games in the Premier League now that Crouchie has signed. Would I be sad to see the lad go? Probably not.

Oh, and apparently, we’re still interested in Huntelaar. Real Madrid need to submit their 25 man squad for the season soon and the talk in Madrid is that he won’t be a part of the new-look squad. That will signal a race to sign him at a knock down fee.

If we do end up getting him and he scores a few, expect Defoe to be unhappy. Everyone says that you need four strikers, but no one tells you how you can keep them all happy!

Erwin Staudt, the Stuttgart President, last night said that his club are still very much interested in signing a striker after the deal to sign Klass-Jan Huntelaar feel through.

“We are interested in a few forwards and have made enquiries for Roman Pavlyuchenko and other players that we feel can lift the club”.

I actually would like us to keep Pavlyuchenko. I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt and see what he’s like this season.

The only problem I can foresee is his sell-on fee. If he doesn’t get the games (and I can’t see him starting that many), his value will drop. Stuttgart apparently bid around £10 million for him last month, only to be knocked back by Levy (who spent £13.8 million on bringing him to Spurs).

If he doesn’t play that often, how much do you think he’ll go for next season? Less than £10 million? I think so.

So from a financial point of view, maybe Harry and Levy do want to be shot of him now. If he does go, I think we should give Obika a go. Let’s let our youth flourish!