Aarrggh. We need a striker

[billyireland]

Want Rossi on loan from January onwards? Anything to get him away from the Toon...

[prvev]

He's not really the type of striker we need, just because of his style of play. I'd take him though.

[billyireland]

Yeah, but he could play well with both Doyle & Lita. His creativity & passing are perfect for unleashing explosive and/or pacey strikers. I really just want him to get the f' out of Newcastle tbh. :o

[prvev]

Yes, I know what you mean there. Roeder really is kind ********ing both you and his own team by how he's been using (and at times, not using) Rossi.

And your right, he would do well to get Doyle more chances. Its much better than what we have now, which is a completely out of form Doyle and a not-yet-ready Long.

[louis09]

Dempsey would be a great CDM but upfront I heard of rumblings about Fernando Torres, I don't think he would be as cheap as Duece but he's young and very good with a big upside.

[prvev]

Wait...Fernando Torres...for Reading? Wasn't United looking at him? And wasn't he valued at like $40,000,000?

[louis09]

Wait...Fernando Torres...for Reading? Wasn't United looking at him? And wasn't he valued at like $40,000,000?


40 Mil Thats crazy He's not Henry.......... is he?

[prvev]

He's done quite well for Atletico Madrid in the past. And he got 3 goals in 3 games for Spain in this past World Cup.

[billyireland]

With all due respect (and there is plenty, I've got a HUGE soft spot for clubs like Reading & Wigan, and am grateful you finally gave Ireland a competent striker not named Robbie... plus Coppell is a United legend), Torres is out of your reach, both in terms of finances and the chances of him wanting to move to a club of your stature. Again, I don't mean that in a bad way, but there are only 4-5 clubs MAX in the country that could get Torres before even bringing finances into it.

[prvev]

With all due respect (and there is plenty, I've got a HUGE soft spot for clubs like Reading & Wigan, and am grateful you finally gave Ireland a competent striker not named Robbie... plus Coppell is a United legend), Torres is out of your reach, both in terms of finances and the chances of him wanting to move to a club of your stature. Again, I don't mean that in a bad way, but there are only 4-5 clubs MAX in the country that could get Torres before even bringing finances into it.

Yea, I'd guessed as much. The only possible explanation would have been Madejski going temporarily insane or something. And then I still would have doubted Torres wanting to come, unless he got really tired of Atletico.

And you're welcome for Doyle. :)

[Dr.Phil]

Another good target forward from the US is Ching

He has done quite well

http://houston.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t200&player=ching_b&playerId=chi444955&statType=current

[mschofield]

With all due respect (and there is plenty, I've got a HUGE soft spot for clubs like Reading & Wigan, and am grateful you finally gave Ireland a competent striker not named Robbie... plus Coppell is a United legend), Torres is out of your reach, both in terms of finances and the chances of him wanting to move to a club of your stature. Again, I don't mean that in a bad way, but there are only 4-5 clubs MAX in the country that could get Torres before even bringing finances into it.
I'd think Torres would want to leave a turgid backwater like Madrid for Berks beauty...hmmm. Maybe not...

Doyle and Long will be starting up front for ireland in another four years. Heck, back to Cork City, i say. Do they have a target striker?
We can afford Ching, I'll grant that. And he'd probably be interested in the move.

[prvev]

Ching is nice (and as a Dynamo fan, I certainly like him there), but I think I'd prefer Reading to look for a target striker in one of the upper second tier leagues, such as France and Holland. There are a lot of good players there and they can often be had for a reasonable price.

[rms5555]

Eddie Johnson to train with reading. (http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/soccer/mls/kansas_city_wizards/16013425.htm) It is mentioned at the end of the article. I havn't seen this reported any where else, but it might be true.

I know he's not a striker but, Egypt international Amir Azmy has reportedly received an offer to join Reading in January on a €700,000 (£470,000) transfer. (http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=428367&CPID=8&clid=108&lid=&title=Egyptian+claims+Reading+offer) I have heard that Sky isn't most reliable source, and again I didn't see this reported anywhere else.

[prvev]

He describes himself as a star..so he must be good in Greece. Or have a really big ego. Probably both. Although that does make me wonder what's going on with Mensah.

I guess Eddie Johnson might be a decent risk to take if we can get him mega-cheap.

[T_Rock]

Eddie Johnson to train with reading. (http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/soccer/mls/kansas_city_wizards/16013425.htm) It is mentioned at the end of the article. I havn't seen this reported any where else, but it might be true.

Front page of BigSoccer has a couple of links regarding Johnson's trial:

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/readingfc/2005/2005387/royals_eye_us_international_johnson

and

http://icberkshire.icnetwork.co.uk/0275readingfc/0100news/tm_headline=american-wizard-all-set-to-add-his-magic&method=full&objectid=18105179&siteid=50102-name_page.html

Personally, I would love to see this happen. When in form, Johnson was scoring at will for the US National team. I think it is something like 9 goals in 20 caps. He has lead the MLS in scoring, which obviously isn't near the level of the Premiership, but is still a pretty nice accomplishment for someone barely old enough to drink. At the fairly least, he would provide some depth at the position.

[rms5555]

Johnson has really seemed to lose interest in performing since MLS rejected the $5M offer from Benfica in 2005. (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2005-03-11-johnson-portuguese-offer_x.htm) He has been very slow to recover from injuries and had a poor WC. He is going to have to show an awefull lot in a trial, if he gets one, to get an offer.

[T_Rock]

Johnson has really seemed to lose interest in performing since MLS rejected the $5M offer from Benfica in 2005. (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2005-03-11-johnson-portuguese-offer_x.htm) He has been very slow to recover from injuries and had a poor WC. He is going to have to show an awefull lot in a trial, if he gets one, to get an offer.

I agree with all of those points....I just think that 5 mil tag has gone way down. He has a lot of potential upside for a relatively small price tag. Worth the risk, in my opinion.

....Or maybe I just have rose-colored glasses on.

[rms5555]

I agree that there is no way that he is worth $5M anymore. I would think he would get around $1M. At that price he is worth the risk, but then there are the questions if MLS would accept that offer and then if he can get a work permit. I have no idea how to figure if he automatically qualifies or not.

[T_Rock]

I agree that there is no way that he is worth $5M anymore. I would think he would get around $1M. At that price he is worth the risk, but then there are the questions if MLS would accept that offer and then if he can get a work permit. I have no idea how to figure if he automatically qualifies or not.

The work permit question is beyond the scope of my knowledge as well....

I have no way of supporting this, but I think that MLS would take a million for him, especially with the new "Beckham" rule. KC could use that money towards a "name" player, plus KC get two player allocations if they sell Johnson overseas. I think they are just looking to move him at this point.