(There's a fair amount of talk around the various NUFC and Soccer web sites about the need of NUFC to tie up Cordone and quickly. While it appears no-one is quite certain what type of deal NUFC agreed to to get Cordone, most stories are saying that we had better tie him up know as as of the first of January he is can sign a precontract agreement with any other club etc. Anyway here's Soccernets article on the situation.)

Newcastle must pay the price for Cordone By Ian Gibb

Newcastle may be claiming to have landed the bargain of the year in Argentine striker Daniel Cordone, but unless they move quickly to tie him to a long-term deal, it could cost them dearly.

Cordone, an instant hero on Tyne-side with two goals in two games, was signed only on a one-year contract - with Newcastle having a further two-year option.

That means from January 1 Cordone could sign a pre-contract agreement for next season with the club of his choice and, with big clubs from Italy and Spain already aware of his great start in the Premiership, Newcastle run the risk of losing him after a year if they do not agree a longer deal on much improved wages.

In that event, Newcastle would only be able to claim compensation amounting to what they would have paid him over the remaining two years of his contract. Based on his current wages, believed to be around #15,000 a week, that would be an overall figure of just over #1.5million.

The player they call Wolfman is already being rated at around #15m, yet he cost Newcastle just #500,000 from Racing Club of Buenos Aires. However, Newcastle decided only on a short-term deal while they assessed his worth and kept an option on his services.

That option means they must come up with a deal that satisfies Cordone, who knows countrymen like Gabriel Batistuta at Roma are earning fortunes compared to him.

Newcastle manger Bobby Robson, after Cordone's strike in the victory over Tottenham on Saturday, said: 'He's certainly a bargain. Daniel can be a very special player for us.'

Yet under European law Cordone can walk out of Newcastle after a year if he is not happy with any offer of improved terms.

It is understood Cordone earns only a fraction of fellow frontman Alan Shearer's wages, though he is fast becoming just as popular.

There is a misconception that Newcastle, having already paid #500,000, can secure Cordone for two more years with a further #2m - but, in fact, they do not have to pay Racing another penny.

Now Newcastle have to think swiftly about making Cordone one of their best paid players, which would mean doubling his present wages to prevent him being hijacked by a top European outfit.

Bobby Robson's gain has certainly been Bryan Robson's loss. Soccernet understands the Middlesbrough manager was also offered Cordone but did not think the player could improve on what he already had.

While Cordone had to get rid of his gold ear-rings with an operation, Newcastle stand to lose much more unless they put a new value on their glittering frontman.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2000

Answers

The player they call Wolfman is already being rated at around #15m By who? By a Soccernet writer who's 12 words short of an article? I meant that literally but it's got a nice metaphorical ring about it too, hasn't it? Poor old Sharon Mk.2's only played a couple of games...even Guivarc'h managed a goal early doors, so let's not get carried away.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2000

To Tre, et al:

Newcastle's Argentinian striker Daniel Cordone is tied to St James' Park for three years, and not just one season as was initially reported. Cordone, who was signed from Racing Club for just #500,000 in the summer, has made a superb start to life in the North East, scoring in successive home wins over Derby and Tottenham.

Reports suggested when he signed that he had agreed a one-year deal with an option for a further two years, but the decision to extend his stay rests entirely with the club.

The Evening Chronicle newspaper quoted a club insider, who confirmed: "It's true that Cordone signed a one-year contract with an option for a further two years.

"However, contrary to popular opinion, he can't walk out on us next May. The option is weighed completely in Newcastle's favour. "The club can let him go on a free transfer or take up the option of a further two years. It is up to the club not Daniel.

= No worries mate!

:-7

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2000