Less than 24 hours after Newcastle United's humiliating 4-0 defeat against Manchester City and Magpies boss Alan Pardew, chief scout Graham Carr, director of football Joe Kinnear and club secretary Lee Charnley have been spotted in France on an apparent trip to sign new players. Twitter user Sewelly tweeted the above photo from Nice Airport, just a few hours after reports leaked at NUFC.com that Newcastle United officials were overseas to conclude the signings of two new players. Sewelly also uploaded another photo of the Newcastle hierarchy at the airport... Here's the exclusive NUFC.com ran with earlier today;
Less than two weeks before the transfer window closes - and boosted by an influx of funds from the expected sale of Yohan Cabaye - we understand that NUFC officials are currently overseas, concluding permanent deals to sign two players. More as we get it...
Social media and some website outlets (namely SportBalla.com) would claim that Alan Pardew was attending tonight's Champions League qualifier between Lyon and Real Sociedad, suggesting either a scouting mission and/or an opportunity to conclude a deal for long term target Bafetimbi Gomis. The forward, who Newcastle reportedly came close to signing earlier in the month, was left out of Lyon's match tonight and Sky Sports have reported that the club have renewed their interest in the forward. The second signing Pardew and co could be chasing is attacking midfielder Florian Thauvin from Lille, another player the club have monitored for weeks and who is now reportedly available. However the timing of Sewellyy's tweets and the timetable from Nice Airport would suggest the officials are on their way back to Tyneside. The question for Newcastle fans now is... did they get these ones "over the line"?
Matt Holmes is the co-founder of What Culture, formerly known as Obsessed With Film. He has been blogging about pop culture and entertainment since 2006 and has written over 10,000 articles.
However the timing of Sewellyy's tweets and the timetable from Nice Airport would suggest the officials are on their way back to Tyneside. The question for Newcastle fans now is... did they get these ones "over the line"?