In the wake of Newcastle United's spectacular defeat at the hands of local rivals Sunderland in the weekend's North East derby, Magpies fans could have been forgiven for thinking the worst was behind them, with a line drawn in the sand following both the latest derby defeat and another transfer window in which no permanent signings were made. But regardless of how you feel about the agenda not to reinvest during this window - whether because of a lack of available, and affordable options, or otherwise - it might come as something of a shock, in the club's current context, that they might be still listening to offers for players. The latest player linked with a move away from St. James' Park is misfiring Senegalese striker Papiss Cisse, who missed the game on Saturday with a back injury, who has apparently attracted the attentions of Turkish side Fenerbahce, who are putting together a last-minute bid for the former Freiburg player. The Turkish transfer window closes today, and according to the Newcastle Chronicle's head football writer Lee Ryder, the side who currently sit top of the Super Lig want to reinforce their title chances with a new striker before the window closes. Ryder claims that the club have made a £6m offer for Cisse, which the MailOnline yesterday said was the starting offer they would likely bid - though they said that Newcastle will hold out for closer to £10m, after they rejected two £8m offers on deadline day, from Trazbonspor and an unnamed Middle East club. Cisse has had a dismal year on Tyneside after the promise of his first half season in which he scored the goals that took United to the Europa League, and though those suggestions say Newcastle want closer to £10m, even the most optimistic of fans would probably concede that he's not worth that much anymore. The concern for Newcastle fans might well be the situation on when June comes around: with Shola Ameobi likely to leave at the end of his contract, and both Loic Remy and new signing Luuk De Jong only temporarily attached to the club, the Magpies face the possibility of having only Adam Campbell as a first-team striker (and even then, the definition would have to be stretched somewhat.) The other side of that of course is that every agent, chief executive and transfer executive at every club in the footballing world will know that Newcastle are in the market, and that they have money to spend on the back of the Yohan Cabaye sale (quite how much probably depends on your assessment of how Newcastle digest their incoming transfer fees, and what their manifesto is for reinvestment.) That is likely to drive up prices for even the most mediocre of striking options, and no matter who Newcastle turn their attention to, they're likely going to be forced to overpay, especially with the World Cup driving prices up even further. Do you think Newcastle should sell Papiss Cisse? Share your thoughts below in the comments thread.
