Aston Villa set to swoop for Newcastle United midfielder Guthrie
TALKS ON HOLD ... Danny Guthrie.
ASTON VIlla are eyeing a move for Newcastle United midfielder Danny Guthrie.
Guthrie’s contract at the club runs out at the end of the season, and talks over a new deal at St James’s Park are scheduled for the summer.
The midfielder’s form hasn’t gone unnoticed elsewhere, with Villa Park boss Alex McLeish understood to be keen to sign him, according to sources in Birmingham.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew’s keen to tie the 24-year-old down to a new long-term contract, having recently secured captain Fabricio Coloccini, Tim Krul and Ryan Taylor on new deals.
However, Guthrie, for the moment, is focused on the club’s bid to qualify for the Europa League, with United needing to get back to winning ways against Norwich City at St James’s Park on Sunday.
“I’m scheduled for talks,” Guthrie told the Gazette.
“Come the end of the season, my agent will be in touch with the club, or vice versa. We’re just waiting to see what happens.”
Guthrie, signed by Newcastle from Liverpool in 2008 during Kevin Keegan’s second spell as manager, has been hit by a series of frustrating injuries over the past couple of seasons.
And his appearances in his favoured central midfield role have also been restricted by the form of Yohan Cabaye and Cheik Tiote.
But Guthrie – whose agent is able to talk to clubs ahead of the summer, when he becomes a free agent – insists he remains content at United.
Asked if he’s happy at St James’s Park, he said: “Of course. Look at the way the club’s gone this season – I’m really happy.
“On a personal note, my form’s been really good.
“I’ve had a couple of injuries, but I’ve managed to stay fit for a while now, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Guthrie’s been named on the bench for the last three games, the defeat at Arsenal and the home draws against Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However, he’s hopeful of having a significant role to play between now and the end of the season, with Pardew’s team well-placed in the battle to qualify for the Europa League.
“We want to finish it off now,” said Guthrie.
“The position we’re in at the minute is down to the players and staff.
“We lost some big players (last summer), but the club brought in good players, and we’ve all pulled together.”
* Danny Guthrie was speaking at an event to publicise the Samsung Galaxy Note smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy Note is available in the UK now across all major networks, key high street and out of town electrical retailers and online.
Twitter: @milesstarforth
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Jarrow
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
