Sam has already said he may have to look outside of England to bring in new defenders for Newcastle.
Following our article yesterday on four foreign full backs we’ll take a look at five foreign-based center backs who are still available.
We’ll attempt to see if any could fit the bill at Newcastle.
Sam Allardcye – frantically searching for center-backsÂ
Brede Hangeland – Copenhagen (in white beating Rooney to a header)
Hangeland is 6’4†so he fits the type of defender Sam wants at the club but lacks Premiership experience and a knock against him is that he may be a bit slow. He has represented Norway 33 times and Newcastle have been linked with him for several weeks now. The initial price quoted for him was ₤2.3M but now is at ₤4M – we think somewhere between those two figures would be accurate. Hangeland would improve the squad but he would need to fight for a starting place. Brede has expressed a desire to play in the Premiership and reports from our readers in Norway say he has improved significantly over the last season or two.
It is known that Aston Villa – who have still made surprisingly few moves in the transfer market – are also after Hangeland so Sam would have to move quickly if he really wants them (how many times have we said that!).
Fabricio Coloccini – Deportivo La Coruna
Good player that Newcastle were said to be interested in last January. Has played over 25 times for Argentina and currently is playing his football at Deportivo Le Coruna in Spain. Not sure what Sam thinks about Fabricio – but with us missing out on other targets – Coloccini could now be in the frame. We like the 6’0″ tall Coloccini and think he would be a good addition to the squad for around a £3M – £4M fee. No experience of course in the Premiership but good International experience.
Andrea Barzagli – Palermo
Andrea Barzagli was born May 8, 1981 in Fiesole, Italy and currently plays for Serie A side Palermo. He is highly regarded in his homeland and his first club was Rondinella Firenze – whom he joined in 1998. He has since played for Pistoiese, Ascoli and Chievo, before being signed by Palermo in the summer of 2004. He has 13 caps for the full Italian side and stands 6’1″ in height. During last year’s World Cup he was a starter for the quarter-final against Ukraine – after an injury to Alessandro Nesta and the suspension of Marco Materazzi – who were the starting center-backs for Italy. Transfer fee would be high – quoted at £11M but we think he would be available for less than that. No premiership experience but a budding great player and maybe too expensive for us if we only have £10M available..
Edmilson – Barcelona
Good experience and skill and we really hope that Sam has locked this one up for Edmilson to come in the January transfer window once fully fit from his knee injury. Edmilson is tipped to be Brazil’s captain in the next world cup – we think he will be good capture for Newcastle especially if he can get fully fit. Can also play defensive midfield and is a typical Brazilian footballer with great skills, bags of experience and 6′ 1†in height. Sam is a known admirer and Edmilson will cost very little since his contract at Barcelona ends next June.
Fabio Cannavaro – Real Madrid
We’re not sure we can attract this world class player to Newcastle. Cannavaro is one of the best-ever Italian defenders and won the FIFA World Player of the Year last year after captaining Italy to world cup success last summer. Unlikely to want to come to Newcastle and will probably return to Italy following a mediocre year at Real Madrid. Only 5’9†tall and we include him here because he is available and probably for a fairly low fee. Maybe Sam can conjure up some magic to get him to Newcastle – but that’s what will be needed.
Well – those are five center-backs we know about – let’s know what you think.
Any we have missed out who are still available?
Comments always welcome.
NUFC News 24/7
53 responses so far ↓
1 kash // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:12 AM
We’re not gonna sign any of these guys because there’s noting in the coffers. I don’t want to believe it, but it’s becoming more apparent as each day passes and we haven’t signed a soul!
2 nightfall // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:13 AM
new link
http://www.fansfc.com/newcastlefootballclub/news.asp?newsid=170864
3 MektiG // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:15 AM
I think Hangeland would be a good signing for newcastle. He isn’t slow, but not very fast either. He reads the game well and, i think, will continue to improve his game if he comes here.
4 Dumers // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:16 AM
Hangeland is not good enough, especially at 4 million!! the other 4 i dont honestly see as possible options as all are well regarded players and wouldnt think a move to the toon would be one of the right direction! I honestly believe vanfen borre and kompnay are players that must be scouted!!
5 ToonKing // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Nice nightfall, new news, he’s good, i would be happy if we got him.Also Bundesliga is similar to the EPL so he would adjust easier.
And don’t worry guys, we have the money.
Fingers crossed.
6 paul p // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:17 AM
i would sign all these 5, my top 3 would be canavarro, barzagoli and coloccini. all are good defenders and are the type of quality we need at newcastle. I would have said hangeelaand, but after reading reports he is quite slow, then he is not what we need and would not be able to cope playing against the likes of rooney, ronaldo, drogba, torres etc.
7 Ed Harrison // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:18 AM
nightfall – really hope we can get him
8 shaun // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:18 AM
Agree with Kash – we have no money, or at least Sam won’t be given anyway. Really concerned about Ashleys intentions. Trust us to get bought out by the only billionaire that won’t back with cash, typical
9 Mick G // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:18 AM
I bet Joey Barton is chuffed to bits leaving a club that wasn’t showing any ambition to join a club that is showing less ambition than the vast majority of the premiership.
10 nightfall // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:20 AM
no…it’s just ridiculous…we have been linked to…EVERYONE…
mass media…i don’t want to play this game anymore 
11 paul p // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:21 AM
apparently ashley wants to see up already according to some reports!!!
12 paul p // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:21 AM
sell up even.!
13 Greg B // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Barzagli is a must buy IMO. I know Allardyce wants Prem experience but this lad is exceptional. Palermo have set their price – lets get in there and snap him up before someone else does! I know it will be hard persuading him to come but Sam has got to try.
While not knowing an awful lot about Coloccini what I do know is that he is available at a relativley small fee. His wage demands may be high so Allardyce should offer him a decent wage plus performance related bonuses, I think Coloccini could be a big hit, but at the same time I would be very cautious as he has a bit of a track record for inconsistency.
As for Hangeland, well at the right price he would be worth signing. I dont suppose he would break the bank with his wages either and in my opinion he would be better than not signing anyone. Looks a big lad, maybe lacks pace but definatley worth a look.
Edmilson would be a good addition in January but Sam would be a bit foolish to sign and seal anything at the moment unless there a clause in it on our part – this lad may not fully recover from his injury.
IMO there is no way Canavaro would join us, he will more than likley return to Italy if he leaves Madrid.
Id like to see John Heitinga of Ajax (and Holland) brought in, plays either canter back or right back (and defensive midfield if need be)
14 shaun // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Well if he’s taken the 20-30m for tv money plus the money for owens compensation then if he sales for a similair price to what he paid that’s 30-40m made! Not bad for a few months work
15 kash // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Night fall – what does the link say? I’m blobked from that site!
16 shaun // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:25 AM
sells sorry
17 shaun // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:26 AM
The Brazilian fullback, who has one cap for his country, is currently contracted to German side Borussia Dortmund, who have slapped an asking price of £6.75million on his head.
Magpies’ manager Sam Allardyce is keen to sign a top-quality left-back this summer and has been alerted to Dede, after a proposed move to Italian giants AS Roma collapsed at the last moment.
“The amount they offered just wasn’t acceptable to us,†Dortmund’s sport director Michael Zorc told Ruhr Nachrichten. “We were not prepared to sell him for less than €10million (£6.75m).â€
The 29-year-old has played over 250 times for Dortmund, and if he stays with the club will be about to start his tenth season at the Westfalenstadion – unless Allardyce succeeds in his pursuit of the player.
18 shaun // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:27 AM
as above kash
19 t-g-w // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Dammit Nightfall I intended to post that link!
I think Dede would be class – £6million for a 29 year old is quite a lot though. Great player all the same and sure he would be a huge hit – Bundesliga is simlar to the PTremiership after all.
My choice would be Barzagli in defence – he would improve our defence the most out of those 5 and we shouldn’t miss an opportunity like this to sign such a quality player. Hopefully the money is there.
20 Greg B // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Dede – very good player. Seems alot of money though. He is very skillfull, very good technically and can tackle. Would be a very good buy.
21 Ryan // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:34 AM
As I stated yesterday, Dede is available for 5-6 million and is a very good left back. He has performed consistently for Dortmund for years now and has done well enough to be wanted by Roma. He is pacey and also quite good on the ball and going forward. He would be an excellent addition to the squad and i just hope the rumor is true. As for center backs i think were in for Faye(and no not the one Souness left us with) He is versatile and would make a good back up or could replace the useless Carr at right back. Get the cash out Ashley!!!
22 iain // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:35 AM
bolton ch abdoulaye meite.
if beye was a big sam target i cant see how he wouldnt fancy signing a player he took to bolton from marseille.
he was in the marseille team with beye that beat us in the uefa cup – we didnt score in either leg.
hes played in teh wc for the ivory coast.
hes got a few years of pl expereince.
he cost bolton practically nothing might even of been a bosman so wouldnt cost too much i reckon.
23 Chris M // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:42 AM
Greg B: ”As for Hangeland…….. he would be better than not signing anyone.”
That sounds a bit too much like getting Agouchi (or what ever the big lump was called). Not really the direction we want to be goingf in i reckon.
24 stk // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:49 AM
just any of these please, preferably vanden borre, barzagli and dede. if not then abdoulaye faye and heitinga would be good. but seriously i hope sam and ashley are even considering some of these names
25 paul p // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:50 AM
as a pairing ad take that faye as well and sign them both. apparently they want 1.5 for faye, say 2.5 for meite, 4 mill for them both, really though, we need better quality than that, but sam will know both players better than we do. !
26 shaun // Jul 31, 2007 at 11:59 AM
Paul – your right Sam would know both players really well, so why has it taken so long for him to be interested in them? unless he’s getting desperate, cheap is the operative point
27 geordiejordan // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:08 PM
if wat i read on f365.com is true we are about to sign smith for 6mil. this can mean a couple of things:
1) the coffers are not bare if we are splurging on signing ANOTHER striker
2) bring in smith take out martins and gain 6-7 million for more defenders
3) everyone in management is crazy and we are continuing to buy strikers at the expense of an obviously poor defense
i have no idea. but what the hell is going on?????
28 Bev // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:14 PM
well sam has ‘slammed’ reports of selling oba for funds on the nufc official website, and it also says quote… ‘Sam and chairman Chris Mort, meanwhile, are continuing to work hard behind the scenes in an attempt to add new faces to the Newcastle squad. ‘ interesting
29 Rich // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:16 PM
PHILLIP LAHM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JOHN HEITINGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CICINHO!!!!!!
ANTONY VAN DEN BORRE!!!
VINCENT KOMPANY!!! COULD BE THE BEST CENTRE BACK WEVE EVER HAD! CAN ALSO PLAY DCM!!!!!!!
30 Rich // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:19 PM
I think the idea is to sell Dyer for 5-6 million and buy smith as a replacement and use him as an attacking midfielder, we wont sell martins sam has stated that already! i personally would rather have an out and out attacking midfielder to replace dyer though appiah? get this defence sorted though or we are in serious trouble
31 ADAM // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:22 PM
RONALDINHIO TO TOON FOR £50MILLION HONEST VERY RELIABLE SOURCE.
32 CARL // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:24 PM
BEN RYDER FOR THE TOON WITH AND ADAM TONES TOTAL COST £40 MILLION.
33 Phil P // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Dumers you keep banging on about vanden borre- he is a quality player but hes just signed for Fiorentina at the start of the summer… I do wonder how many names are plucked right out of football manager on here sometimes
34 shaun // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:27 PM
Rich – Great players, if sam had the money surely he would, at the very least, be having bids accepted for this type of player
35 Rich // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:28 PM
it looks like we are moving for Abdoule Faye, reports say between 900K – 1.5million, hes 29 but can be used in CB or CM which will be good cover, plus Sam must know him inside out.
Reports also suggest we are trying to secure Drame supposebly comes highly rated also he has played with Rozenhal for years at PSG so would already have a partnership formed.
sounds to me that Sam has scrapped his quest for premiership defenders because their is none, the only thing that puzzles me is WHY HAVENT WE SIGNED NICKEY SHOREY??????
36 t-g-w // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:35 PM
Rich I wouldn’t say they have played for years together at PSG considering Drame has only played 24 times for them and 20 were last season – hasn’t exactly played much football in his career! Milner is 21 and played twice that last season! As for Shorey, he hasn’t exactly played loads of Premiership football either, only one season, so he could quite easily be a flop wherever he plays this season.
I want Dede/Chiellini left back and Barzagli CD – no Prem experience between them but if we can;t get that we should at least try and get the best players possible.
37 paul p // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:38 PM
or sol campbell. there is 2 defenders straight away. what about josepth yobo from everton. would he not be a good addition either.
38 Rich // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:40 PM
T-G-W i guess your right, but if we are left with babs next season im 110% positive Shorey would do a much better job.
http://www.fansfc.com/newcastlefootballclub/news.asp?newsid=170864
^^ not sure how credible this source is but it says we are trying to land Dede for 6.75 million, i dont know much about him but he was good in Champ Manager lol.
39 nightfall // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:42 PM
what about detting drame, faye and sol…plus swap appiah – emre…and sell dyer for 5m… if we do that we’d be about 2m in plus… ashley – then we’d be only -78m
40 nightfall // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:42 PM
getting…sorry
41 shaun // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:43 PM
yobo would be good but guess he’s not availabe (for under 2M) anyway, same goes for shorey/baines. Dede/Chiellini Barzagli would be great but come on guys it’s obvious Sam isn’t being offered that sort of transfer funding! Faye seems a bit last result otherwise surely Sam would have moved for him earlier
42 paul p // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:48 PM
it has been the problem all along aint it, but the only way things are going to get better is by finishing higher up the table and because of lack of quality, we will finish well well down, iof not relegation. we are crying out for players. wot happend to all this tv money. where did that go, or this sponsership money from carling. did that go towards paying off the debt.
43 AltaBatAljoneN // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Hangeland for less than 3mill.. No big wage demand, consistent performer and improving fast over the last couple of years.. Would not take too long to adapt to english style either, cuz he`s from norway( similar style to the english)..
44 AltaBatAljoneN // Jul 31, 2007 at 12:58 PM
…and for those of u who saw FCK – Man U in CL last year… remember he made Rooney and the rest look like schoolboys!!
45 Lin // Jul 31, 2007 at 1:16 PM
We need not only 3 good defenders but also a defensive midfield. However, we only have 10m. I feel disappointed about the new owner.
46 shaun // Jul 31, 2007 at 1:18 PM
Apparently west ham have bid 7m for shorey and are also after smith and Eider. Could be that oliver has just got bored again and decided to write some more crap though
47 paul p // Jul 31, 2007 at 1:29 PM
and we have to sell oba to get the finance’s to buy 2 quality centre halfs thats the latest one i have read
48 Bosck // Jul 31, 2007 at 1:39 PM
Unfortunately Drame has just signed for Sochaux
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6923908.stm
49 paul p // Jul 31, 2007 at 1:42 PM
he’s a thought for you, knowning that alladyce walked out on bolton caus the board would not back him in the transfer market, do u not think he would do the same here if he was not getting backed. ???
50 Ross // Jul 31, 2007 at 3:08 PM
i hope the rumours regarding us going after smith and eidur are rubbish because at the end of the day, we apparently dont have the money, and there are gaping holes in our defence.
fair enough im sure smith or eidur would be decent additions to the squad (a replacement for dyer is needed) but at the end of the day, we are screaming for a left and right back.
i thought huntington was terrible against juve, and carr looked poor too. i’m getting sick of us being linked with strikers, midfielders, and even more so sick of us being linked with defenders, and nothing happening. name after name, day after day and no action. some rumours turn out to be reality, we should just have “utterl rubbish, clearly never going to happen” pages.
51 Ed Harrison // Jul 31, 2007 at 3:51 PM
Please take a look at our comments policy. The comments are getting a bit too raucous in terms of bad language and we cannot always catch them before they are submitted. Please try to make your points with decent language.
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52 michael // Jul 31, 2007 at 7:48 PM
Adam and Carl seem very excitable!
It’s pretty funny watching you boys panic about “missing out” on these players. These players are all a bit rubbish that we’re talking about, no?
Edmilson would be good, or Cicinho maybe but not really the others I think.
Drame? Did anyone actually believe that? Hangeland link is a waste of web space, about as truthful as an Alan Oliver exclusive.
Why can’t we be linked with good established players who we know are good, instead of ones we haven’t heard of, like Drame (Who was obviously the only left back to move this week, hence more of AO’s lies!)
Who wants to hear about Nasri with his 4 trick highlight reel or Celchinni with his u21 prowess in a team that achieved not much? Hangeland is as useful as a brussel sprout on 26th December. So we haven’t signed the substandard players guaranteed to milk your club as Souness and Guillit did, or the players with “potential” like Sir Bobby (5mill on Ambrose and Bramble anyone, that’s each by the way!). Is that a bad thing?
Players we definitely know Sam wanted: Heinze, Distin, Ben Hiam. Spot the link? Yes that’s right they all quite good!
Players Alan Oliver thinks we are interested in: Drame, Hangeland, Beye. Spot the link? That’s right they are probably rubbish but none of us know as we have never seen them play so “our mate who watches the Bundesliga division C says he’s class!” is rolled out in order to excite we muppets!
53 Tom_Toon // Jul 31, 2007 at 8:12 PM
Hangeland and Beye are brilliant i have seen them play numerous times.
Dragutnovic is a brilliant defender who we have just been linked with and have been reported to send our delgation down to Sevilla to discuss a move.
All these players are looking unlikely atm. People are talking about Vanden Borre, he has already moved this summer, get over it.
I woud love for Kompany to come, best young CB in the world, he would cost more than 10 mil.
The best bets for our defence are, Heitinga, Dragutinovic, Fathi ( Not at all linked, but if looked at a briliant specimin of what BSA wants)
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