Newcastle hope to persuade Pablo Aimar his future lies on Tyneside after reportedly agreeing a £7million fee for the Argentinian playmaker.It is understood the Magpies have agreed a deal with Real Zaragosa for the midfielder, and reports from Spain suggest his representatives are on their way to Tyneside in an attempt to thrash out a deal.
The club, as has been their policy on transfers all summer, was making no comment today, but they appear to have nudged their way ahead of a series of other suitors. If the move for Aimar is completed, it will be a welcome boost for fans who have had to deal with a summer of speculation.
Vice-president (player recruitment) Tony Jimenez has excellent contacts in Spain, while technical co-ordinator Jeff Vetere is understood to have spent part of his summer in South America scouting for talent.
Aimar began his career in Argentina with River Plate and enjoyed a hugely successful spell in Spain with Valencia.
However, his time at Zaragoza has proved less fruitful and the chance to revive his career in England could prove attractive after a proposed move to Benfica fell through.
Newcastle have already landed his compatriot Jonas Gutierrez, who completed his switch from Real Mallorca earlier this month, while they have also been linked with Liverpool's young Argentinian defender Emiliano Insua in recent days.
The Magpies have kept themselves to themselves this summer as Keegan and executive director (football) Dennis Wise and his team have gone about the business of strengthening the first-team squad under the watchful eye of owner Mike Ashley.
They pushed through the Gutierrez deal under a cloak of secrecy, and then completed a lower-profile swoop for Liverpool midfielder Danny Guthrie last week.
A resolution of Steven Taylor's contract situation has also come as a boost to Keegan, who is keen for the club to tie up Michael Owen and Steve Harper on new deals, and talks are under way with the England striker as he enters the final year of his current agreement.
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i hope we do get aimar hes the type of player we need but we no to get rid of players like smith and keep owen , nzogbia and milner and we should have a good team next season
As the summer gathers momemtum, it seems the real focus for the Toon has been the preservation of Michael Owen (working), Stephen Taylor (done), and the elimination of the thug (Joey Barton) - (well if not done, his replacements are gathering) - Gutherie, and Aimar. Now let's see if another striker makes his way in - that would be a sign that the preservation of Owen is not going well. I would like to see Harper sign on for another term. And the loss of James Milner would not be good for the team.
it said in the story "summer of speculation" - summer? have i missed out on something?
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