Newcastle, Villa & Charlton say no to Van Bommel

By Gary Beaumont
April 20 2004

It is claimed that Newcastle Aston Villa and Charlton have all pulled out of the race to sign PSV Eindhoven’s Marc Van Bommel.

Aston Villa issued a statement via their official website yesterday that denied “reaching an agreement” with Van Bommel, however the club did admit to scouting him on previous occasions. A club spokesman commented;

“A number of clubs are keeping an eye on the situation. But at the moment that’s as far as it goes and we have certainly not made a formal bid.”

Meanwhile it is alleged that Newcastle have now turned their attentions to Everton’s Thomas Graveson after they were unwilling to pay the £6million price tag that PSV were asking for.
Charlton were the other club thought to be interested in the midfield anchorman, but Alan Curbishley put to bed any rumours associating the club with his signature;

"I don't know about that, he's been linked with a lot of clubs, certainly I've seen Spurs linked with him but I've had no contact with the boy so I don't know where that has come from.
"I've not had too many phone calls over the years from agents offering players because they know we were not in that market.
"But at the moment they know we've got some money so I think the chairman is waiting for phone calls."

This must surely put Spurs back in the driving seat, however their precarious situation at present may not assist the club when trying to lure top class players.

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