Transfer Talk: Monday 13 July

They shoot...

Former Mackem to make a bid for the Magpies

The former Sunderland shareholder Charlie Chawke is putting together a syndicate to bid for Newcastle. Chawke was part of the Drumaville Consortium which took over Sunderland in 2006 before being bought out this summer. Several consortia have matched the Magpies' owner Mike Ashley's £100m asking price, with groups from Malaysia and America also said to be in the running. "Newcastle is a very viable option," Chawke said. "It's on sale for about £100m – about £500m less than what it was worth two years ago. We have to look at options other than Sunderland and Newcastle would fit very nicely into our portfolio."

They score...

Robbo loaned to Trotters

Bolton have finally completed the loan signing of West Bromwich Albion defender Paul Robinson. "I am delighted we've managed to get him in," Trotters manager Gary Megson said of the 30-year-old, who joins Sean Davis in the arrivals lounge at the Reebok following a prolonged chase by Bolton. "He is the type of player Wanderers supporters will like."

They miss...

Alonso not 'indispensable'

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini says the La Liga side can manage without Xabi Alonso should the Liverpool midfielder not move to the Bernabeu. "Indispensable players do not exist," Pellegrini said of the 27-year-old Spanish international. "He's an important player – as he has shown with the Spanish team. It's no mystery that Madrid are interested, but it will not be easy. We are looking at some alternatives in a few positions."

Torres bids rejected by Reds

Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, yesterday revealed the Merseyside club have rejected offers for the forward Fernando Torres. "We have had some very big offers for key players this summer – and that includes Fernando Torres," Benitez said of the highly rated 25-year-old Spaniard. "Clubs wanted Fernando but we knew that when a bid came in that we would say no. The main thing was Torres wanted to stay here. The player wanted to stay, but it did not stop clubs trying."

Boruc to stay a Bhoy

Celtic have issued a hands-off" warning to clubs interested in their goalkeeper Artur Boruc. "Artur is not for sale," the club's chief executive, Peter Lawwell, said of the Polish international yesterday. "He's the best goalkeeper in Europe and we are holding on to him. There have been no offers for him and we don't want any to come our way."