There is news today that Andrei Barzagli, the Italian center-back who plays for Palermo, will be leaving the club in the summer.
Andrea Barzagli - top center-back now available
He has 21 full caps for the full Italian side and also played often for the Italian youth sides.
Barzagli won a bronze medal with the Italian Olympic team in 2004 and was a consistent member of the Italian Youth sides playing 8 times for the Italian Under-20 team and 15 times for the Italian Under-21 side.
The 27 year-old 6′1″ center-back has been at Palermo since 2004, and has played for them 140 times and scored 5 goals.
There were signs that Sam Allardyce was interested to bring the Italian to Newcastle last summer, and there were several reports that Newcastle were indeed interested in the top defender.
During the 2006 World Cup he was a starter for the quarter-final against Ukraine - after an injury to Alessandro Nesta and the suspension of Marco Materazzi.
Indeed, over the last two seasons there has been constant speculation in Italy about his future - with Juventus seemingly interested in signing the player.
So far he is still at Palermo, but it now seems that his club are finally ready to sell him.
Last season he was valued at around £11M, and would not come cheaply, but he is also a top defender, and that money would be well spent.
What do you think about this player?
Comments welcome.
64 responses so far ↓
1 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 15, 2008 at 16:25
cant see him coming here
2 seetow // May 15, 2008 at 16:27
would be magic.. but why would he choose us?
3 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 16:28
He will go to Bayern or Juventus.
4 Kash2 // May 15, 2008 at 16:31
Lucio is gonna be at Bayern for another year before he leaves, and they’ve already signed the young Brazilian to replace him.
5 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 16:33
Who cares, he will go to Bayenr or Juventus. If Bayern want a player like this, they will get him. Enough said.
6 Hadji // May 15, 2008 at 16:34
There are rumours that Wolfsburg could be his next team considering that they allready signed Zaccardo from Palermo.
7 Kash2 // May 15, 2008 at 16:36
@Tom_Toon: Sorry “John Motson”. I forgot you know everything about everything, and that you’re head scout for KK. Prick!
8 HeronMag // May 15, 2008 at 16:36
I’m totally naive when it comes to Italian football now… Sounds interesting though.
I’d prefer us to be linked with more British/Irish talent though. It just shows you how over inflated the prices are for English players.
9 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 16:37
Ye, you definitely forgot it.
10 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 16:38
Hadji - Do you have an opinion on Marius Constantin?
11 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 16:39
I wish i was head scout. At least we wouldnt be linked with total unrealistic players, loads of africans or utter shite.
12 ToonKing // May 15, 2008 at 16:43
pfff Barzagli is class but he won’t be coming to us. period.
13 broon ale // May 15, 2008 at 16:47
just because he is leaving doesnt warrant a story on this website, surely
14 Mehzeb // May 15, 2008 at 16:47
We all appreciate the input Tom_Toon, but come on, nobody likes a know-it-all. Sadly, since everyone here looks to your input on matters doesn’t give you the right to blast every other article that doesn’t match with your taste.
It’s sad, and kind of getting old. Yes, you know alot of players, and you post regularly here. Well, some of us also know our fair share of football, and sometimes, just sometimes, we just don’t need you to overwhelm us with your negativity.
15 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 16:50
I was being sarcastic for christ’s sake. Of course i dont know everything.
But why would a top italian defender, ITALIAN, they have the best CB’s in the world and he hold down a regular place want to come here.
Im sick of the unrealistic player, utter shite or the amount of africans we get linked with.
I know this summer im going to be completely underwhelmed by most people we sign.
16 daniel // May 15, 2008 at 16:50
Jesus! you sound like a bunch of five year olds arguing. Anyway, I think he would be a quality signing, but dont see him moving. But on another matter, I really want Aiden McGeady. He’s like a younger, quicker, better Duff.
17 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 16:52
As for wingers, id love Roberto Hilbert of Stuttgart or Riera of Espanyol.
18 Mehzeb // May 15, 2008 at 16:55
Fair enough, Tom_Toon. I know what you mean about the summer being underwhelming. Alot of people here expect the likes of Diego, Van der Vaart, Metzelder, etc. joining us this term, but I personally feel that we may lose out to other clubs simply on the basis that they can offer European football. But it’s still healthy to dream, and dreams are what keeps us alive. So, I’ll hope for the best, and expect our club to make at least a few quality signings. They may not be who we expect, but I’ll be happy as long as it brings back the good times to Tyneside.
19 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 16:57
I get annoyed because a lot of people dont realise we are a MID TABLE team.
20 Mehzeb // May 15, 2008 at 16:58
I’ve always liked Hilbert, he’s quick, and he crosses well. Has a decent shot as well. Wouldn’t mind we landed him, but I’m with daniel on Aiden McGeady - the man is class. We’d benefit greatly if we could somehow tempt him away from Celtic.
Competition for Duff, and the privilege after years, to see a Newcastle United winger who can cross the ball!
21 Davey G // May 15, 2008 at 16:58
Daniel, Its good to argue on a debating board, it blows out the cobwebs!! Anyway, is it arguing or is it debating??
The only time it gets silly is when people start calling each other naughty names.
SPYRO does this all the time, have a look at his posts to me re Arshavin/Eto a few blogs back.
What he doesnt realise is that when the abuse starts, the argument/debate is lost.
Soo keep it clean lads n lasses!!
22 Mehzeb // May 15, 2008 at 17:00
We’ve been stranded in mid-table mediocrity since Sir Bobby Robson left. Fat Freddy killed our hopes and dreams when he sacked the only person who in the last ten years, had taken us to the highest level, and made us into a formidable force who actually finished 3rd, 4th and 5th in successive seasons.
23 JP from The Rock of Gibraltar // May 15, 2008 at 17:08
Like Daniel said let’s go for McGeady as he is the new Duff! He has a great future ahead of him, let’s tie him down at Newcastle and he’ll have a great future with us!
24 OzZyMagpiE // May 15, 2008 at 17:10
zarate for toon…=p
pfft we are a mid table side… zarate would be willing to come… so hez realistic n good… i’ve always liked argies apart from da ones we sign… bassedas/cordone…rofl
on another note.. why sign McGeady when zoggy commtied? we need players who we’ve been lackin with postion wise.. one creative mid/ one ceter back/ one left back n / one holdin mid period
25 Davies // May 15, 2008 at 17:18
Easy Tom Toon. We are a mid table team, and I agree, we will probably be totally underwhelmed by summer signings, but there’s always room for a little optimism.
There are some good signals going out about Newcastle at the moment. Though he’s probably covering his ass because nobody wants to buy him, Zog has just said that he’s happy at the club.
Amara Diane said that he would love to play for Newcastle and that Keegan is a “dream manager”. You never know who will take that kind of commentary on board.
I’m not getting carried away mate, I just think we shouldn’t be writing good signings off before the window has opened properly.
26 JC // May 15, 2008 at 17:23
Deco has said that he will definity be leaving and going to England or Italy that is fact not rumour. Baca have let him talk to other clubs.
27 MathewS.africa1988 // May 15, 2008 at 17:24
Guys it seems that the transfer gossip is starting to get to all of us. Yet to give ed flack is not called for. He told us afew weeks back he will report on all targets that we get linked with and that is exactly wat he is doin. Doubt if 99% of us could put half the effort and time he puts into this blog for US. He gets nothing out of it. Im specifically referrin to the mbia post earlier that alot of people were moanin about. Keep the faith lads!
28 toonbarmy // May 15, 2008 at 17:27
Arshavin would be great but if we miss out on him we should look at players like Jeremy Menez.
29 Daniel Petersen // May 15, 2008 at 17:30
I think the reason we are looking for a LW/LM is that we are going to move out either Duff (to Sunderland) or Zog (to Spurs). Mind you this is just speculation and I have no real basis other than what was reported in the press (Zog) or that Keene has stated his interest in Duff and been given a large transfer kitty.
If PSG go down they have a few exciting CM’s that we should look into in Clement and Chantome. We should even look into the young striker David N’Gog. Shows a lot of promise.
30 Gunnar/Iceland // May 15, 2008 at 17:34
Class player. Wont join us. Will end up at Barca, Arsenal or Juve.
31 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 17:35
Daniel Peterson - Agree about Chantome and N’Gog, but not Clement, replace Clement with Digard and Rothen
32 Jamie G // May 15, 2008 at 17:42
i agree with most of the lads…then again….owen, martins, woodgate, butt etc all linked with bigger clubs and look where they ended up.
i have to say even though we had a good spell last month i still think we need a summer clear-out or practically every1 apart from the keepers, beye, enrqiue, taylor, milner, martins, owen.
barzagli and cuellar at the back would be jizz material, but i think the latter is a more realistic option and would still be fantastic.
look at wgat spurs did under jol a couple seasons ago, unlucky to miss out on 4th after bringing in loads of top quality players that summer like they always do.
it’ll be tough but we need a new team and hopefully get in the top 7 next seasons and move on from there.
33 Daniel Petersen // May 15, 2008 at 17:45
Tom Toon I completely agree with you about Digard and Rothen. Both class. Clement has been playing better and better of late and I think KK might be able to make him a better player. I would really like us to pick up N’Gog and Chomtome though.
Does anyone know if we are still after the defender Shako from PSG? I heard a rumor about it a little while back.
34 Nev // May 15, 2008 at 17:47
very few italians travel well … i dont rekon he will come tbh
and i agree with tom_toon - “MID TABLE TEAM”
forget bout ya van der vaarts and start looking forward to the sidwells of this world
35 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 17:50
Nev - Sidwell is the kind of player we can attract form the prem. But if we can look abroad we can attract better than Sidwell, however, nowhere near the PERCIEVED quality of your VDV, Diego’s etc.
By percieved i mean we could get quality player who arent hyped up, someone like Hilbert or other seriously underrated players.
36 scottish mag // May 15, 2008 at 18:03
yeah he is quality but dont think we will get him, also cuellar is staying at rangers
http://www.fansfc.com/frontpage/frontpagenews.asp?newsid=185103
and newcastle wants huntelaar for £15m if we lose owen
http://www.fansfc.com/frontpage/frontpagenews.asp?newsid=185103
37 scottish mag // May 15, 2008 at 18:05
barzagli is quality but dont think we’d get him
KK wants huntelaar for £15m if we lose owen:
http://www.fansfc.com/frontpage/frontpagenews.asp?newsid=185103
and also cuellar wants to stay at rangers:
http://www.fansfc.com/rangersfootballclub/news.asp?newsid=185103
38 scottish mag // May 15, 2008 at 18:07
barzagli is quality but unrealistic, cuellar wants rangers stay and KK to get huntelaar for £15m if we lose owen
http://www.fansfc.com/newcastlefootballclub/news.asp?newsid=185085
39 Hadji // May 15, 2008 at 18:21
Tom Toon…Cant tell cause i never see him play.I havent watched anything lately besides EPL,Primera and Calcio.
I really like Philip Degen though but too bad he’s going to Liverpool unfortinatelly.
I asked you once for youur opinion about Mendy from PSG
40 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 18:24
Mendy is a good attacking full back, lots of speed, good cross but he does get caught out defensively but he is fairly strong aswell. Hes available on a free so i dont see why not.
41 sas1 // May 15, 2008 at 18:26
MathewS.africa1988 - We haven’t been linked with Barzagli. We were ages ago. There’s no quotes to suggest he is leaving, there’s no reason to report this on a nufc site.
Ed does a great job, but this is getting out of hand.
42 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 18:31
Ed, I appreciate your site and work, however during this hectic time of transfer rumours, could you create one thread a day where you edit it when new transfer rumours come out. It would save both the readers and you (unless its harder to moderate) hassle. Just an idea but in my opinion a worthwhile one.
Cheers.
43 Leo // May 15, 2008 at 18:33
might be seen as a big name to some, it took me some time to read lol
44 ScottyT // May 15, 2008 at 18:44
tbh i agree with tom_toon 4 a change..
i find all the specualtion rather boring tbh. its a different player every hour owen to jef united topped the lot mind! haha
but i suggest people either just ignore the story or the above idea wouldnt be bad.
45 Hamas (51times) // May 15, 2008 at 18:50
KAKA SEEN OUTSIDE CLAYTON STREET FISH & CHIP SHOP
AC Milan and Brazil superstar Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, commonly known as Kaka, could be on his way to The Toon to join Mike Ashley’s Kevolution. The talented playmaker today said:
“I like fish”
We think that Kaka would be a wonderful signing by the club, and if there’s one person who can get him to Tyneside, it’s Dennis Wise.
46 Leo // May 15, 2008 at 19:09
he does that tom toon but its good also to have these articles also
47 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 19:17
But obviously doesnt stick to it. Not having a go but i dont see the point of an article: Toon Transfer Rumours (Date) then adding more on later.
48 scott 9 // May 15, 2008 at 19:19
wud be a great signing wud rather hav dunne though
49 nitro // May 15, 2008 at 19:30
class defender but we would NEVER get him..same applies to arshavin,van der vaart,deco,rothen etc etc..u guys should get ur head out of ur arses and smell reality..people like dunne,shorey,ashton and what we are able to attract..
50 Tom_Toon // May 15, 2008 at 19:39
We can attract Rothen and Arshavin (less likely after last night).
51 Nathan // May 15, 2008 at 19:56
This site needs to stop leaving in dreamland we are not going to sign Barzagli, he is an awesome defender and will be snapped up by a big European force like Milan
52 Hamas (51times) // May 15, 2008 at 20:10
Nathan can you not read, Kaka said he likes fish, we have fish here, he’s obviously coming.
53 cris // May 15, 2008 at 20:11
tom_toon and others, your forgeting, we are NEWCASTLE UNITED! and we sign unrealistic players…………………and then make them shit by ruining ther carriers, keep the faith! TOON TOON BLACK AND WHITE ARMY!!1
54 robertsa // May 15, 2008 at 20:19
yep id like him in there but we are nothing compared to bayern, juventus and inter who are all looking to build strong squads
55 Stanley McKenzie // May 15, 2008 at 20:21
Unfortunetly he is too good for us.
56 Taiwantoon // May 15, 2008 at 20:28
Yeah, Hamas. If Kaka does come, KK need to train him to like fish and chips first.
57 Hamas (51times) // May 15, 2008 at 20:35
My fish sauce tells me that he’s signing a 4 year contract
58 Bob // May 15, 2008 at 21:03
Its funny how these sort of articles get so much stick.
Yet, when Ed does a perfectly fine piece of reporting - “Newcastle Players Away on International Duty” - there’s only a couple of replies.
Yes, some of the headlines are sensationalist - but, at the end of the day, Ed creates discussion and that is only a good thing.
59 gallowgate31 // May 15, 2008 at 21:58
Total change in direction, but did anyone watch Arshavin last night………… I thought he played exeptionally well, he had a look of an ‘in form ‘ Emre about him, I was well impressed.His through balls and crosses were spot on. Hope we go for this guy !
I spotted Huntelaar years ago when all the talk was about Drogba and that other fella who went to chelski , same thing has happened with Torres at the bin dippers, we knew but done nowt about it, hope those days are now well and truly gone..
Zog’s words today were of some comfort, maybes he has been reading this site.
60 noob // May 15, 2008 at 21:59
why dunt we just sign christiano ronaldo? he is the best player in the world for now,rite?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
tired of being linking to unrealistic target..
61 Kyle // May 16, 2008 at 1:01
i believe that defensivly we need minimal change, our defence has coped really well to the end of the season!!!! really we need midfielders, we need supportin midfielders to the defence and attack!!!! altho, we shud look to sign a young n promising talent from anderlect called antony vanden borre, really young and a goodin 4 the future, plays at right back n has deputised for the belgium team already, he’ about 18 and i reckon would link up really well with milner, No brazillian defenders as they are to attack minded!!!!!
62 Lawman // May 16, 2008 at 4:28
Deco’s just been released by Barca…… MA and Wee Denis, time to get your fingers out!
Cuellar and Arshavin looked good on Wednesday. Denisov looked not too bad either.
63 SINGA_TOON // May 16, 2008 at 5:09
Why bother about this player, he wont join us.
Because we are in the mid table, even if he wants to join, he will join the top 4 first.
I think we better look at other players who is much more better.
64 Taiwantoon // May 16, 2008 at 7:59
I am not so sure about Deco. Don’t get me wrong, he is a terrific player, skill wise better than all our current players. I am just worrying about his mentality and playing style…
Sorry to be so negative, but Veron just spring to my mind.
Leave a Comment