Magpies preparing for January window

NEWCASTLE United supremo Derek Llambias has revealed the club will hold back some of their transfer budget for the January sales – while reiterating that all of the Andy Carroll fee will be invested in the club.

Magpies fans are growing increasingly agitated at the lack of big investment by the club this summer, despite having received £35m for Carroll back in January after his move to Liverpool.

So far, Newcastle have shelled out just £4.8m in transfer fees to bring Yohan Cabaye to Tyneside, a sum all but cancelled out by Kevin Nolan’s £4m move to West Ham United last month.

The rest of Alan Pardew’s signings have been free transfers, with Sylvain Marveaux, Demba Ba and Meihdi Abeid coming on Bosman deals.

Managing director Llambias insists there has been a significant amount of money spent on bring that trio to the club, with signing-on fees, agent payments and wages all coming out of the £35m.

But with high earners Nolan and Sol Campbell off the wage bill this summer, along with Shefki Kuqi, the Magpies will have saved £100,000 a week in salaries.

It has left fans wondering where the £35m is being spent, not to mention the £47.2m received in TV money and Premier League winnings last season.

“I can assure everyone that not a single penny of the £35m has left the club, and neither will it,” said Llambias, owner Mike Ashley’s right-hand man. “It is all going back in.

“We have acted early, and we have got the players we wanted, but none of them have been cheap. We have paid good prices for them.

“They certainly weren’t free transfers, there are fees and wages to consider.”

Boss Pardew revealed yesterday he hopes to bring in two more players before the start of the season, with Paris St Germain striker Mevlut Erdinc believed to be his main target after United put in a £7m bid this week.

United have also seen a £1m bid for Swansea’s Neil Taylor rejected, and Llambias insists the club will be cautious with the money they spend this summer with one eye on possible dealings in the January transfer window.

He added: “It is our responsibility to make sure we look after the club responsibly.

“If we spent all the money on players this summer, what are we going to do in January if we need to bring somebody else in? We are using the money sensibly.”

Newcastle’s coffers could be boosted by the sale of Jose Enrique before the season starts, with the Spaniard seemingly destined to leave after failing to enter talks on a new contract.

The left-back only has a year left on his deal, and was today linked with Champions League winners Barcelona, although Arsenal and Liverpool appear to be more realistic destinations.

its a load of rubbish he is talking. i wish they would sell the club.