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Newcastle linked with having a stake in Diane
NEWCASTLE United have identified
Ivory Coast striker Amara
Diane as a possible replacement
for Arsenal target Obafemi Martins.
Arsene Wenger was linked
with a move for Martins last summer
and the Gunners boss is
weighing up a renewed approach
for the Nigerian.
United boss Kevin Keegan has
had no contact with Arsenal over
Martins but there has been an inquiry
for Paris St Germain striker
Diane, according to the 25-
year-old.
Keegan was at the Parc de
Princes last Saturday to watch
PSG draw with St Etienne. It was
also an opportunity for Keegan
to check on another target, St Etienne
striker Bafetimbi Gomis.
However, it would appear the
Tynesiders would have a greater
chance of landing Diane after
Gomis expressed his preference
to join a club in Italy.
A number of top European
clubs are trailing Diane, who has
just finished the Ligue 1 season
with nine goals in 24 starts.
And the Ivorian has revealed
he would jump at the chance to
play at St James' Park under
Keegan.
He said: "I know that there is
contact between the two clubs. If
they come to an agreement, I
would go to Newcastle.
"Keegan is a coach that makes
you dream. His team play attacking
football, and playing in
England would be a great opportunity
for me.
"To play with Michael Owen
would be great and there is also
Obafemi Martins, who is a quality
striker.
"The Premier League is very
attractive and several of my Ivorian
friends play there, so I would
be in good company."
Keegan has moved to dismiss
reports linking Owen with a
move away from Tyneside after
Premier League champions Manchester
United were credited
with an interest in the England
striker at the weekend.
Former Liverpool striker Owen
is seemingly happy with life on
Tyneside after revealing how
Keegan's arrival on Tyneside has
lifted everybody at the club since
his appointment in January.
"He's had a massive impact,"
said Owen.
"It was never going to happen
straight away, not only did we
have some tough games, but a lot
of the lads were low on confidence.
"The only reason you lose a
manager is because results have
not been good.
"The confidence wasn't high,
but if you could ever ask for a
man to pick players up and get
the best out of them then it's
Kevin Keegan, and I think there's
more improvement to come in
that respect."
Owen in particular has benefited
since Keegan's arrival. The
striker was made captain and has
repaid the Newcastle manager's
faith in him by scoring nine goals
in 16 games, averting fears of relegation.
"We all enjoy training and
playing alongside each other and
he has brought a real feel-good
factor into the club," said Owen.
It has been reported that Newcastle
United duo Charles N'Zogbia
and Abdoulaye Faye were involved
in a bust-up just hours
before Sunday's final game of the
season at Everton. The pair had
to be separated following an alleged
dispute over wages.
9:01am Thursday 15th May 2008
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