Michael Chopra has told the Chronicle he would welcome an official approach from BFC. He has been offered a contract by Newcastle which is believed to be below what a player of Chopra's class would expect and has sparked speculation that the contract offer has only been made to activate a claim for compensation if the player leaves St. James' Park. Patrick Cryne informed the Chronicle last week that BFC were very interested in signing Chopra. They will have to join a queue of suitors as reports in the North East this week suggest that Crystal Palace and Birmingham are prepared to offer £500,000 for him. Quote from Chopra "News that Barnsley are interested in me is obviously a welcome one, but I spoke with the Newcastle Chairman Freddy Shepherd earlier this week and he said Barnsley have yet to make an official approach. The Chairman wants some money for me and there are other clubs interested. The Chairman says that unless Barnsley make an official approach, I won't be talking to them" He then talks about keeping in touch with Antony Kay, who phoned him from the team coach on the way back from Cardiff. Chopra continues: "Antony was also shouting to the manager "Hey Gaffer, Chops is on the phone and he says come and get him". Then you could hear the rest of the lads chanting "come and join us" I have obviously got to take into consideration the offers from other clubs but I am certainly interested in Barnsley. I was reading that Crystal Palace and Birmingham have put in a £500,000 bid and I know about interest from cardiff. I believe Burnley and Stoke are keen but an offer from Barnsley would certainly interest me. What I will eventually do is look at the offers and take a couple of weeks to think about it. I have to think what is best for my career. It is not just down to money: it is whether or not I am playing regularly. People might say 'Crystal Palace will offer more money and are a better club' but if I am not going to be playing every week then they are not necessarily the best option. We will just have to see what happens." Barnsley Chairman Gordon Shepherd said last night "Of course we are interested in a player of Michael Chopra's calibre but it would all depend if he was available and affordable. I suspect a dozen or so other clubs would want him too. We have to recognise that. Yet if he was to leave Newcastle, at a price we could afford, we would try and get him."
Christ knows I've got my fingers crossed I think he'd be the spark we need up front to get the confidence back to the front line.
after reading that i have no doubt in my mind that he wants to join us, it is obvious that the players like him, he can join a squad of a good average age and which seems to be the most important thing to him we can gaurentee him first team footie! only stumbling block!? Money!
After reading that..c'mon Gordy what tha waiting abart for!! He'll come if we make a reasonable offer in terms of wages.</p> It matters not one jot what any club has offered in terms of transfer money (as far as I understand) as Chopra is largely a free agent at the end of the month. Compenstion for newcastles training investment is all that they would be due.</p> He is clearly interested in coming.</p> Does Richtea want him?</p>
Agree Don't think Michael Chopra could have sent a clearer message. As you say the money issue is the worrying thing especially as the article mentions Freddy Shepherd wanting money for him hence the contract offer.
The transfer money will be relatively small All newcastle are entitled to is realistic renumeration for training expenses etc. once chopra's contract expires. He does not have to go anywhere he does not want to go. Once his contract expires he can sign for whomever he wishes and the FL will set the compensation at a tribunal exactly as they did with Hayes.</p> It will largely hinge on whether Chopra thinks the interested club will give him a regular first team place, the length and size of the contract he is offered.</p>
would show an incredable lack of ambition if we didnt formally approach Newcastle to at least speak to the lad, unless that would end up costing us more as he is still, at the mo a newcastle player, we really should be at the very least making an approach, players of this quality do not often come our way
I am glad you found that could not get the report frum t'chron. Obviiously AR thought his squad was good enough....
He'll come if we make a reasonable offer in terms of wages. AR was a **** wasn't he, fancy not offering enough in wages!
hehehe Though on this transfer speculaion I stll think we could have got had we been prepared to pay the price - we obviously were not. Now with Hindsight I would suggest the club did the right thing, Like it or not.
You're probably right. The £5m transfer clause he now has in his contract is just silly isn't it? Gosh, how I laughed at the way we conned Wolves out of £250K for the same sort of clause we scammed for McIndoe!
