Age Limit On Signings Stopped Downing Joining NUFC
By Tyne-Talk
August 26 2013
Former Liverpool midfielder Stewart Downing has explained why he opted to join West Ham over Newcastle United. The 29 year old indicated that whilst Sam Allardyce went all out to sign him, Newcastle's age restriction on signings prevented him from joining the club. Downing, who is hoping to prove his worth for next years World Cup claims it wasn't manager Alan Pardew who refused to spend the money on a 29 year old but that he wasn't given the choice. West Ham signed him for £5million.
He said;
"There were things going on in the background and Newcastle enquired about me.
But it sounds like their owners are similar to Liverpool on transfer fees and wages and the player’s age.
That all comes into the equation, and I think that was obviously a problem for Alan Pardew.
It was a move I was interested in and I looked at it, but when I spoke to Sam Allardyce he wanted me straight away.
He pushed the boat out to get me, and there’s nothing more you want as a player."
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