Clarification of Duff's Transfer

It is really not an easy task writing commentaries when conflicting reports abound.

It has been confirmed that the Duff's transfer was for £5million instead of 10 million and Soccer Pundit has to set the record straight. According to Newcastle United’s statement to the Stock Exchange, “The directors of Newcastle United PLC are pleased to announce that Damien Duff passed his medical and his transfer from Chelsea has been completed for a fee of £5 million. The player has agreed personal terms and signed a five-year contract ending in June 2011.”

Now it appears to be a bargain coup for Newcastle because you can't really get players of this quality for £5 million in this age of inflated prices and certainly not in the Premiere League market. However, before Tottenham fans start banging their heads on the wall, several factors could be at play in this transaction.

Firstly, it is likely that Chelsea have set the bar higher for Tottenham (a threat they take seriously) while for Newcastle, they are happy to let Duff go for a lower price because money is the least of concerns for the Chelsea's management (with sugar daddy Abramovich bankrolling them). If Manchester United or Arsenal had knocked on the door, the price could even be raised to 15 million or maybe a no-deal.

Secondly, the devil is in the details. The actual contract may place greater emphasis on performance, ie. Duff’s appearances and Newcastle’s League and Cups successes that could eventually take the total contract sum beyond Tottenham's bid.

It is still early days to say whether this deal is such a great bargain but somehow Soccer Pundit has a feeling that Roeder may be a more prudent and shrewd manager than Souness (look at the players he brought in, Owen, Luque and Boumsong who have not done much to justify their price-tags).

Unfortunately, Roeder may not have as much time as Souness on the job with Shearer's retirement. Roeder himself doesn't seem to be perturbed with the lack of successor for the No. 9 shirt and he has exhibited no sense of urgency yet, but he could soon be under immense pressure if Newcastle start off the league slowly and find themselves on the wrong end of the table. Options are getting limited by the day so he has to move fast, and it is not as though money is a big problem for Shepherd.

Soccer Pundit will be keeping a close eye on their future transfers (especially strikers) and keeping everyone updated.