Barnsley's chase of Chopra appears to be hotting up

Geordie mate of mine says the Newcastle press reporting that Reds are coming on as strong contenders against Cardiff for his signature.</p>

Dunno how, if at all, that differs from any other reports you may have heard.</p>

 

Copy right acknowledged -newccy journal

Bid to snatch ChopraJun 5 2006




By Paul Gilder, The Journal






Barnsley will attempt to hijack Michael Chopra's summer switch to Ninian Park after Oakwell officials revealed their determination to cash in on the "box office" appeal of the in-demand Newcastle striker.

The 22-year-old seems certain to quit St James's Park when his contract expires at the end of this month and, although Cardiff are confident their offer of a three-year deal will be sufficient to secure the player's signature, the Tykes are planning to make a fresh bid for his services.

Chopra remains a firm favourite amongst Barnsley supporters having scored 15 goals during a successful loan spell with the club two seasons ago.

And that is something Andy Ritchie will attempt to exploit as he tries to land a player whose signing would be certain to increase crowds at Oakwell next term.

"The fans have sent out a clear message and Michael Chopra knows he is very well-liked at Barnsley," said Patrick Cryne, one of the club's chief financial backers, who will provide the resources to fund a move for a player who is expected to formally reject the 12-month contract he has been offered by Glenn Roeder.


"If someone is box office, you are more likely to find the funds than if it is someone who won't excite the fans. Michael Chopra is absolutely the kind of player I would like see, he is very popular here.


"Andy Ritchie is aware of that and Michael's name has been mentioned. Michael is the type of player that we are really interested in."


Chopra has previously indicated that he would be interested in joining Barnsley and, having negotiated the League One play-offs to secure a place in the Championship, the Tykes will now attempt to strike a deal.


But with Cardiff's summer plans further advanced than those of their rivals, it remains to be seen whether the Yorkshire club have left it too late. Dave Jones has earmarked Chopra as the player he wants to replace Cameron Jerome at Ninian Park and has the required funds in place.


The Bluebirds have already offered the striker a contract and the prospect of guaranteed security for the next three years will be hard to turn down.


Barnsley, though, have not given up, and Cryne last night added: "It really comes down to the ambition of Michael Chopra.


"We are not in the phase yet where we can formally approach players, but he is a player we will track."


Burnley have also shown an interest in Chopra, although, having struck deals for the Sunderland misfit Andy Gray and Crewe's Steve Jones, the Clarets are no longer believed to be in the race.


It now looks as though the player will have to make a choice between South Yorkshire and South Wales.


It will now be up to both clubs to persuade Chopra that they offer the best chance of regular action. On this front, the high regard in which he is already held at Oakwell - where he spent a successful loan spell - could prove a valuable bargaining tool for Barnsley officials.


"I just need to be playing every week and that's going to be hard at Newcastle," said Chopra. "I know the club is going to bring strikers in.


"The main thing is to be playing first-team football."


Although Newcastle have offered a contract, the terms of which are understood to be better than those offered by Cardiff, Chopra is simply desperate for first-team football.


And the striker now looks certain to depart his home-town club.


United will demand compensation but, with sources in Wales insisting last night that £200,000 should be sufficient for a deal to be sanctioned, that should prove no problem.

 

From icnewcastle</p>

&quot;The Bluebirds have already offered the striker a contract and the prospect of guaranteed security for the next three years will be hard to turn down.</p>

<p class="headtypea" align="left">Barnsley, though, have not given up, and Cryne last night added: &quot;It really comes down to the ambition of Michael Chopra.</p>

<p class="headtypea" align="left">&quot;We are not in the phase yet where we can formally approach players, but he is a player we will track.&quot;</p>

 

A couple of things

What is meant by it being "down to the ambition of Michael Chopra"?

And why can Cardiff formally approach players but we can't?

 

RE: A couple of things

stop attacking him

 

RE: A couple of things

1) Perhaps he means - If Chopra fancies a relegation scrap he should come down the Well. If he's settling for mid table mediocrity, Wales is the place to be.

2) Cos we are all on holiday?

 

I'm just evil

 

Are we banking on Chopra having no ambition then?

 

Cardiff are not interested in Chopra

Trust me on this
He is ONE of a number of players on their list including TWO Reds!!!

 

erm

does that not mean they ARE interested in him them?!

or is it just a list of footballers under 5foot5 whom they have no interest in signing

1. michael chopra
2.chris shuker
3. dave small
4. darren sheridan
5. steven shortlegs

etc

 

RE: Are we banking on Chopra having no ambition then?

We are banking on Chopra's ambition to keep the Reds up. Or summat.

Yeah, it's a tad negative isn't it. Seems to be suggesting that if Chops rates himself as a player he won't be coming.

 

"not been"

ffs man, attention to detail.

 

Steven Shortlegs has been banned for 5 matches.

For jumping the que.

 

nah

we're going box office this summer

maybe he's suggesting that cardiff are deeply in debt and that signing for the super red tykes would be the ambitious mans move

 

RE: Steven Shortlegs has been banned for 5 matches.

Gavin Stumpthighs is available on a free - he's just as good. insider info

 

RE: Steven Shortlegs has been banned for 5 matches.

Did he go out with your girlfriend or something?
Do you have his short shorts?

 

RE: "not been"

oops. obviously paying too much attention at work, time to hide in the toilets

 

RE: Steven Shortlegs has been banned for 5 matches.

pinned up on bedroom wall. i wonder who the shortest football player ever is or was. paul d?

can you do a search on soccerbase under height?

 

They've just got a list of things they aren't interested in

1 The Da Vinci Code
2 Knickerbockerglories
3 All fancy ice creams
4 Michael Chropra
5 Guinea Pigs

 

RE: They've just got a list of things they aren't interested in

hehe