 SPURS were considering a dramatic deadline day bid to lure Newcastle United midfielder Charles N’Zogbia to White Hart Lane. The wires were really buzzing between North London and Tyneside today as Spurs manager Juande Ramos prepared to make his move for United’s 21-year-old Frenchman. But Kevin Keegan is desperate to hold on to N’Zogbia, insisting that he is going nowhere and telling him to forget all about the bright lights of London. Spurs’ interest in N’Zogbia was confirmed today by his agent Willie Mackay. And Mackay admitted that while N’Zogbia has expressed his admiration for Keegan, he would consider a move to London “for personal reasons” as his family are based in the capital. N’Zogbia signed a new and improved five- year contract offered by former boss Sam Allardyce just before Christmas and he has appeared a lot happier in recent weeks. The former Le Havre midfielder was quite naturally upset after the death of his father in France in 2006 and then by the departure of his mentor Jean Alain Boumsong to Juventus. However, it has been accepted that N’Zogbia and James Milner – he’s a year older at 22 – would be two of United’s young players who would benefit from the way Keegan motivates players. United fans would be disappointed to say the least if N’Zogbia was allowed to leave St James’s Park. And it would hurt them even more if he went to Spurs, especially as that’s where Keegan’s No 1 target Jonathan Woodgate ended up this week. Ironically, it is Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who has appeared to be N’Zogbia’s biggest admirer recently. Keegan told me at The Emirates on Tuesday night that while he did not expect any additions to his first-team squad, he could not afford to let anyone go out. There is big interest in Andy Carroll, and Swindon were still hoping to get the England Under-19 striker on loan today. Meanwhile, Dennis Wise has certainly wasted no time in getting his feet under the table in his new role with United. Within hours of his appointment being announced on Tuesday, Wise was at The Emirates watching United lose to Arsenal. And last night Wise was back on familiar territory as he saw Chelsea beat Reading. Wise still has good connections at Stamford Bridge and must have wondered if he can get any of their players on loan to St James’s Park but Avram Grant is a bit short of numbers himself. | 
Article
