EPL Transfer News: Rob Elliot Signs for Newcastle FC

The latest news circulating twitter is that Charlton FC goalkeeper Rob Elliot has signed a 5 year deal, for an undisclosed fee at Saint James Park.

This seems like a logical story as Sky Sports News were reporting earlier today that the 25-year-old stopper was having a medical at the Newcastle ground.

The only question is why?

Newcastle have 3 very good keepers on their books already in Dutch international Tim Krul, long serving Steve Harper and Fraser Forster who is on loan at Celtic.

And Tim Krul has been in scintillating form at the start of the premiership campaign, despite being told by Alan Pardew that he is not guaranteed the number 1 jersey.

I watched the last two games against Scunthorpe and Fulham and can honestly say that without Krul we wouldn't have won them.

His reflexes are world class and he made some vital saves which had the Toon Army drooling and the opposition fans frustrated.

It therefore baffles me that we would need an extra keeper because even if Krul gets injured we have the experienced Steve Harper to don the gloves and step in.

This leaves me to question the future of Steve Harper. I can't believe that Pardew would have signed a talented new goalkeeper as 3rd cover; the lad simply wouldn't have come.

Does this mean he wants Elliot to push Krul for a starting place and edge Harper out of the picture?

It's an interesting question and only time will tell what role the lad will play in the Newcastle squad but hopefully he will be a decent signing for us, provided he didn't take too much of a chunk out of the transfer budget.

Comments Welcome:

Newcastle United Transfer News: Macheda to Toon?

Reports we're circulating on twitter last night that Manchester United forward Federico Macheda could be heading to St James Park on a season long loan.

And this morning this story has become more credible, with the player's agent saying that United want to loan him to a Premier League club and Newcastle have the edge over QPR.

To me this is a story that makes sense.

Pardew and Sir Alex are friends and the move looks like it could benefit both sides.

United have a wealth of attacking talent at the minute, just ask the Arsenal fans, and the 20-year-old Italian will struggle to get a look in at Old Trafford.

And in contrast Newcastle are lacking forward options.

Leon Best is looking good with his brace over Fulham and Demba Ba showed last season at West Ham that he definitely knows where the net is.

Unfortunately I'm not so sure about (Shola) Ameobi and Lovenkrands.

Lovenkrands is looking less and less impressive every time I see him play and I don't think you can count on Shola for more than 10 goals a season and so signing a new striker is priority number one for Alan Pardew.

I think Macheda could do a job for the Magpies; He's shown glimpses of brilliance at United and if given regular games then he could flourish into a very good striker, much like Danny Welbeck at Sunderland last season.

The worry for the Toon Army though, is that if Macheda comes will the pursuit of a new striker end?

Newcastle have been linked with a host of attacking talent this transfer window with the most recent being Fulham's Clint Dempsey and Sochaux's Mali international forward Modibo Maiga.

Both these players would excite the Toon faithful who love their centre forwards, but would also command high transfer fees which could put off owner Mike Ashley who has been tight with the purse strings this summer.

But I think that few would be complaining with the acquisition of Macheda who is young, exciting and can score goals.

Comments welcome: