Sam Allardyce is reported to be in Spain to negotiate his possible 8th signing of the summer for Newcastle.
Sam is off to meet and talk with Serbian defender Ivaca Dragutinovic about his plans at Newcastle and to discuss the offer the club are willing to make to the Sevilla defender.
But after the deal was looking good late last week – the Serbian is now on the fence and it will take all of Sam’s persuasive powers to get the Serbian to Tyneside.Â
Dragutinovic and Allardcye
Ivaca is known to have followed Newcastle United and knows all about ex-captain and icon Alan Shearer.
This is what Ivaca said last week when it looked promising he may be on his way to Newcastle – because he said he wanted to come:
“This is the financial opportunity of my life and do not want to reject it.”
” I know Newcastle and Alan Shearer from his days with England.”
“I would like to play for Newcastle in the Premiership.”
When Chairman Mort met with Shearer last week and asked him to do more in his role as world-wide club Ambassador – we hope one of the tasks was to call Ivaca – or even accompany Sam on his trip to convince Drago to join Newcastle.
Sevilla have signed Dragutinovic’s replacement in Colombian Aquivaldo Mosquera, who has arrived from Mexican champions Pachuca – so all seems set for the deal to be completed.
At Newcastle Sam has brought in Rozehnal, Cacapa and Enrique to toughen up and stabilize a rickety defense. Drago (Ivaca’s nickname) could be the final player to ensure a rock solid rearguard for the first time in many years. Rozehnal and England Under-21 International Steven Taylor have already looked very solid when playing together.
Dragutinovic would receive a huge pay rise at Newcastle but is unclear if that’s enough to persuade him to move. From a playing perspective Ivaca has had great success in the two years he has been in Spain winning the UEFA Cup two years running and the Super Cup last year. One of the determining factors for Ivaca will be European football since Newcastle cannot offer him that and Sevilla can.
Ivaca spoke with Sky Sports yesterday and hinted at his change of mood:
“Not everything is about money,”
“In a few days, maybe on Wednesday or Thursday, we will make a decision, but I think that I am now closer to staying here.â€
Newcastle fans will like the statement about the money but not the last sentance. A fee of around £2.7M has been agreed with Sevilla and now it’s Sam’s job to persuade Ivaca to make the move.
One advantage Sam has is he has rekindled careers of good players in their 30s by getting them super-fit and using their talents wisely. The prospect for 31 year-old Drago is that he could play another 4 years at Newcastle and become one of the vital cogs in a re-engineered Newcastle defense and a completely rejuvenated team.
Despite accepting Newcastle’s bid last week, Sevilla president José MarÃa Del Nido and Manager Manager Juande Ramos have both held talks with Dragutinovic about an extension to his current deal at the club. We should know what happens with Drago within a couple of days. If Sam is not successful he will move on to other targets – but we have no idea who they may be.  It will be interesting to follow the events to see if Sam can bring off this transfer – Drago certainly seems the type Sam wants – let’s hope he’s successful.
Some information on Ivaca we had published a couple of days ago.
Ivica Dragutinović was born November 13, 1975 in Prijepolje, Serbia, Yugoslavia and plays for Spanish La Liga side, Sevilla F.C. He is nicknamed Drago.
He began his career at Serbian side FK Borac ÄŒaÄak (50 appearances – 2 goals) before heading to Belgium’s Jupiler League to join K.A.A. Gent (95 appearances – 12 goals). He left Gent but stayed in Belgium, signing for Standard Liège in 2000 for whom he was a great success and played over 200 games for them and scored 8 goals. In the Summer of 2005 he moved to Sevilla FC for whom he has played 53 times scoring 2 goals.
Dragutinović has played 33 times for Serbia and Montenegro and was part of their Famous Four defense, which conceded only one goal during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. The other members of the famous four were Goran Gavra of Dynamo Kiev, Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidić, and Mladen Krstajić of Schalke 04. Drago holds a Belgian passport, so is not included in the three non-EU player quota of La Liga.
Comments welcome but please keep them civil – thanks.
32 comments so far
Lew Davies
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:05 AM
Comment #1If Big Sam can pull this one off against the odds now, then surely no one can have any further doubts that he is the man for Newcastles future.:)
Come on Drago sign for the Toon.
apan
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:07 AM
Comment #2His good, get him we need players with experience at LB, and sell babayaro haha
Hadji
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:07 AM
Comment #3When everyone’s fit this would be the best formation
Given
Geremi Taylor Rozehnal Enrique
Butt
Barton
Smith Emre
Martins Owen
George
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:08 AM
Comment #4If Draagutinovic does not sign for the Toon, will it be the end of the world! NO. As far as i am concerned Sam Allerdyce has done remarkably well in the transfer market for us, especially with all the media mis guidance and interference that has gone on.
Sam has went about his job and bought players whose reputation as players is some what better than that of the know gone players.
To date in the pre season friendlies, the youngsters have again proven their worth, but i think this time round with an increase in fitness and stamina,(which was lacking for all to see last year), we may just have the talent to go into this new saeson without worrys.
Just look back to opening day last year.
No Michael Owen, Alan Shearer up front, now Viduka, Martins, Smith, Carol and Ameobi, with Owen to come back.
Midfield, Butt, Solano, Geremi, Smith, N`Zogbia, Milner, with Duff and Emre to come.
Defence, say no more No Bramble, No Boumsong, No Moore and Onouwayo however you spell it. That is a big improvement to any teams defence.
To quote the Beatles ” I FEEL FINE “
Ian, Doha
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:08 AM
Comment #5Let’s hope BSA can persuade Drago to spend the next few years on Tyneside. He’ll be good defensive cover for the team and help bring along the existing yougsters at Newcastle.
Go on Sam, do the bizzzzz
george t
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:10 AM
Comment #6is dragutinovic really interested in a move to sjp or is he playing newcastle off against sevilla to get a bigger and longer contract???? if his heart is not with us ,i say drop him and move forward
Hadji
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:10 AM
Comment #74-4-2,A3 from pro evolution 2007
Tez
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:21 AM
Comment #8Hadji – you have missed out one of our most consistant players – Milner has to be a starter, such a talent and still learning.
Kash
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:24 AM
Comment #9Hi guys, have any of you read the “NewcastleUnited-Mad” website? They’re such idiots, always criticising our players. I really don’t like them one bit. They put alot of viscious rumours about our very own Charley N’Zogbia and they’re still on Luque’s back. Apparently he pulled up with a groin strain last night in the testemonial. They’re giving him grief and i really don’t like the tone of there reports. Fair enough he got injured, but it’s reasonable that he has, considering his fragile fitness and the new training BSA has implemented. These guys (NewcastleUnited -Mad) are very destructive and I don’t like them one bit. They’re probably jealous little trampy Mackems! IDIOTS!
D.
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:33 AM
Comment #10I’ve noticed that the site in question does seem to wind stories out of thin air and speculation, but that’s one reason why I don’t bother reading reports that they publish. nufc.com and this here ‘blog is where I frequent, even if I rarely comment.:D
There’s been some talk about some Panama central defender who is presently playing in Mexico — Felipe Baloy — maybe he’s on standby if the Dragutinovic deal falls through. I hope it doesn’t though, I’ve just gotten used to spelling that name out!
Dave
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:39 AM
Comment #11George and Kash – I couldn’t agree more
geordie_jordan
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:50 AM
Comment #12i think drago is using us as leverage for a new payday with sevilla…. i think he wants european football unfortunately for us…
PM
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:52 AM
Comment #13imagine if newcastle were in the uefa cup this season and imagine the sorts of players big Sam would have brought in. without even being in Europe we have signed some classy players e.g. geremi, barton, smith etc. i hope for this season we can finish 6th or upwards and i will be dissapointed if we dont qualify for europe. heres a laugh for you all: in four four two this month, it has a season preview and about wigan it says that manager chris hutchings has strengthened his defence by signing the rock of Titus Bramble!!! what rubbish is that. i was actually laughing at what they said!!! lmao
Mac
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:52 AM
Comment #14I think the Drago deal is dead in the water. Even though i haven’t seen him play i was still quite excited about the prospect of him arriving. I think he is just after a bigger deal at sevilla.
Lew Davies
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:54 AM
Comment #15Agree with you Mac, but dont underestimate Big Sams power of persuasion:)
PM
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:55 AM
Comment #16any1 heard the rumour that Peter Ramage may be going to Derby County??? my cousin said it is in the papers todaay and they are thinking of bidding 2.5m pounds???
iain
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:56 AM
Comment #17go to youtube and search for that felipe baloy fellas videos, he certainly knows how to score goals for a ch.
Barry Bumhead
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:58 AM
Comment #18Marca.com is reporting that the serb Dragowhoeverovivc is staying for 4 more years at Seville.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.marca.com/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmarca%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG
(Go to top left,soccer 1st division ..scroll down to Seville)
Looks like its time for Sam to move on.
PM
Aug 7, 2007 at 9:59 AM
Comment #19this man is a defender right??? thats what it says on wikipedia
PM
Aug 7, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Comment #20he could get a work permit but the mexican league is much different to the premiershio and i think he wouldn’t adapt very well
Mac
Aug 7, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Comment #21Ramage for 2.5 mil,pull there hands off,take it and run,that would be a good bit of business,Sam could then put that money towards the midfield superstar he is going to buy
PM
Aug 7, 2007 at 10:05 AM
Comment #22how much are tickets at st james park? im gona go to the Everton match in October on my bday and would just like to know if any1 knows the average price?? thxs
Bill F
Aug 7, 2007 at 10:17 AM
Comment #23I find it a little perplexing re. Casapa. The back room boys were raving about his fitness levels during his medical now we are hearing he is behind the rest of the squad in this aspect. I would have him in the starting 11 at Bolton, surely he is up to it!!
Tom_Toon
Aug 7, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Comment #24Where have we been linked with, Felipe Baloy.
Ive seen him a few times, hes pretty solid, Panama Captain aswell 🙂
AB
Aug 7, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Comment #25Bill F – I think they were raving about Cacapa’s fitness as he was in Brazil doing nothing all Summer. If that had been Viduka he wouldn’t have been let on the plane to the UK under weight restrictions. Saying they were surprised by his fitness levels doesn’t necessarily mean he’s fit enough to play.
t-g-w
Aug 7, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Comment #26I think the fact that Drago’s trasnfer got put on hold so we could chase Enrique might have put the Serb off – he might not have felt wanted enough. However, Sam is out there at the moment and his persuasive powers should swing the deal in our favour again.
We need one more defensive signing (Drago or someone else if he doesn’t come) and then we’re sorted. A RB would be nice though. Does anyone else think that overrall we have a better squad than Tottenham who everyone thinks may pip Arsenal to 4th – so we definitely have a very good chance. Yes, Tottenahm have a very good strike force, but ours is incredible as well. Overall I think our midfield is better – Zokora and Jenas haven’t exactly set the world alight down there. Lennon is their best midfielder and I would put him on a par with Milner. I would say our defences are pretty equal (after Drago signs). With King they have a better defence, but without him they struggle. Plus we don’t have European football which could be a blessing in disguise as we will have more time to prepare for Premiership mathces and will be fitter.
I have a very good feeling about this season.
rich
Aug 7, 2007 at 12:08 PM
Comment #27Drago would be a great signing as he can play both LB & CB very solid.
but as things stand his signing isnt as imperative as it was before we got Capaca, Enrique & Rozey.
if it falls through we still have 3 weeks to find another amazing talent.
i would like to see this guy join us as he looks like a solid player, but if he chooses not to then hes missed the oppertunity of a lifetime.
Ed Harrison
Aug 7, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Comment #28Bill – i noticed that too.
Ed Harrison
Aug 7, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Comment #29PM – Drago can play left center- back – or left-back
Ed Harrison
Aug 7, 2007 at 12:55 PM
Comment #30George – it’s hard to say
gazza
Aug 7, 2007 at 2:59 PM
Comment #31the reports i have are that dragutinovic HAS today signed a contract extension with sevilla. not to worry. on wards and upwards.
9thJune
Aug 7, 2007 at 3:53 PM
Comment #32If Heinze is not allowed to go to Liverpool then what a buy he would be for £6.8 million.