Transfer Talk - Pardew, Podolski and Sterling.

Just days into the January transfer window and we have our next set of updates for your comments.

Magpie turns into Eagle

We now have our second confirmed new manager appointment within the Premier League as Alan Pardew has left Newcastle United and takes over as match day boss of Crystal Palace.

Many have questioned why Pardew would make a move from one of the sleeping giants of the league to one of the smaller clubs.  Further he has moved from a challenge for Europa Cup places to a relegation battle.

Pardew has taken Newcastle as far as he can without the club either holding onto its star players and/or investing in building a top four challenging squad.  Take a look at the players sold by Newcastle and subsequent invest back into the first team, then compare with top 4 rivals and you can see why.  There have been rumours of Newcastle once again selling a first team player in the window with Moussa Sissoko linked to PSG and Arsenal.  With owner Mike Ashley increasing his share of Rangers FC is there likely to be any improvement on this front.

A number of fans unhappy with Pardew as manager despite achieving decent results with the  restrictions he faces.  As an ex player, Pardew's move to Palace may mean he has moved onto a club where he may feel a little more loved.

Palace have promised money to develop the squad and a forward or two seem the obvious requirement.  The January signings will be crucial as Pardew has shown an ability to keep rebuilding a side at Newcastle.  He has developed a number of talented foreign players and left a club in decent league position.

He seems a good appointment for Palace's league survival bid but do you agree?

On a side note I feel sorry for Newcastle fans.  They have so much potential to become a major side in the league.  The only club in the city they have some of the most passionate, loud and hungry for success fans going.  The Premier League is a brutal place and bar the odd exception only those who invest will succeed.  With no sign of that happening who will Ashley turn to next?

Gunners fan favourite goes on loan and defensive options start to arrive.

Lukas Podolski has move to Inter Milan on a loan deal.  With Olivier Girouds suspension over, Theo Walcott on the comeback trail and Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Campbell and even Yaya Sanogo ahead of him his chances were becoming limited.  Podolski never quite hit the heights of his 2010 World Cup performances with either Bayern Munich or Arsenal.  But on his day he was a great finisher with the bullet of a left foot shot.

What do you gunners think of Lukas time at the club?  Did he achieve less or more than you expected and what is your favourite memory of the player?

There has been talk in the football circles that he has been let go to free up funds via his wages to make a move for an alternative player.  Arsenal fans will hope that this is true and a defensive midfield player and/or centre back arrives.  Paper talk today has been of a bid for West Ham's Winston Reid.  The Hammers centre back has been a player steadily improving over the last couple years and at 26 years of age time yet to develop into a more dominate defender than he is currently.  At this stage I'm unsure if I could see him as a replacement for Per Mertesacker or just cover.  The lovingly named BFG is in my opinion the weak link of the Arsenal centre back positions but that is not a view held by some Gunners fans.

What are your views on the potential signing?  Would he be a first choice pick or squad player?  Is he the centre back Arsenal need to mount a serious title challenge?

Liverpool's star has options

Liverpool's star youngster Raheem Sterling or more specifically his agent are in contract negotiations with 2 and a half year left on Raheem's existing contract.  He currently is paid £40,000 a week and it is being reported a £70,000 a week deal is on the table from Liverpool.  That may or may not be the only deal on the table for the future star.  Real Madrid have reportedly been sniffing around with rumours and only rumour of discussing a £120,000 a week deal with his agent.   Of course this cannot be happening as wouldn't that be illegally approaching a player?

Whatever the truth is, Sterling is being eyed by Madrid and the club have a habit of getting whatever player they wish.  Any bid is not expected until the summer as that is when Madrid do their big business.  To me it's far too early in Sterling career to consider such a move.  Perhaps in 2-4 years with continuing to develop in the manor he has, he could be considered a World Class player. Then the deal will make sense to all parties but not at this stage.  Sterling has only been a Liverpool regular since the second half of last season.  This season he started like a house on fire but has slowed down in the following months.  For the benefit of the player and the England national side he is best to stay just where he is.  There and with plenty of patience he can continue to grow at a club who have a decent reputation of developing talent.

What do the pool fans think?  Obviously you want to keep him but with Luis Suarez gone, Daniel Sturridge injury prone and legend Steven Gerrard leaving could he be tempted away in the summer for the riches of Real?

Stall