Newcastle pour water over Kalou talk.

A Champions League winning striker on a free transfer, that's zilch, zero, absolutely nothing, for a versatile forward with a modest scoring record, still in his prime at 26 years of age, plenty of Premier League experience, for nowt? That's a bargain right, right? No, according to Newcastle United, it isn't.

Talksport yesterday reported that Alan Pardew's Newcastle had joined the race to sign the Ivorian winger who has a record of 36 goals from 153 games in 6 years at London club Chelsea, who decided this summer not to extend his contract.

Hence why Kalou is as free as a bird in this summer's transfer window, with Arsenal, Liverpool and German club Schalke all rumoured to be interested in his services. Talksport also call out Galatasaray as an interested party.

The Magpie's candidacy for the signature of Kalou seems to be dead as soon as it was alive however, with the Newcastle Chronicle claiming owner Mike Ashley's era of sensible spending has been put off by Kalou's sensational wage demands of £70,000 a week.

With Kalou holding out for a fortune of a weekly wage, it is Schalke who lead the race to sign him by a furlong as they prepare to offer him a massive, lucrative package to attract him to Germany to replace striker Raul.

Arsenal did try to sign Kalou for £3 million back in January but there is also a feeling at the Emirates that Kalou's demands, that would smash through the Gunner's wage-ceiling and then some, would be far too high for a sustainable structure.

@AdamGray1250

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