Many of the Toon Army will regard their failure to land this player as a blessing in disguise. After all, with Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins already out injured, the club could do without more star quality on the treatment table for an indefinite period.
The Independent report that the Magpies swooped for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson yesterday, but were told to shove off in no uncertain terms. The 20-year-old was an impressive performer under Sven-Goran Eriksson last season, although he has only featured three times in the league this campaign, the last appearance coming at Sunderland in August.
Manchester City rejected Newcastle United’s £8m bid for Michael Johnson yesterday out of a determination to develop a player Mark Hughes believes can have a future at the club, despite the abdominal injuries which continue to deter his progress.
Despite some doubts from within the club about the attitude of the 20-year-old whose attempts at rehabilitation are questioned by some on the coaching side, he is still considered a player for the future. He broke down after a return to first-team training in Tenerife last week and his recuperation remains a worry for City.
With Shay Given and Charles N’Zogbia no longer Newcastle players, it’s clear that Joe Kinnear has some cash to spend, although it’s obviously unclear as to what division United will be featuring in next season. Perhaps there was some temptation on the part of Manchester City to take the cash for a player who has barely proved himself, yet it’s not as if their owners need to sell players in order to buy.
Who else should Newcastle be looking to sign in a bid to stay in the Premier League?