There was news yesterday that Newcastle may be after another Romanian, in addition to 6′5″ center-back Dorin Goian, who we reported on earlier today.
Razvan Rat - left back played over 50 times for Romania
The Romanian defense has looked extremely solid in the European 2008 Championships, and not surprisingly a lot of their players are now being looked at by the European big clubs.
The agent of Romania international full-back Razvan Rat has said that his player is attracting interest from the Premiership League.
The Shakhtar Donetsk defender has been linked with both Sunderland and Newcastle.
Rat’s agent, Ioan Becali, said yesterday:
“Last winter Shakhtar Donetsk refused an offer of £4M for Rat.”
“They’re a rich club and do not intend to sell him below the figure of £5M.”
“The player has attracted a lot of interest from England.”
The agent is obviously trying to pump up the transfer price, and presumably the personal terms, for his client, but we’ve been impressed with both Dorin Goian and Razvan.
Rat moved to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2003 and has played 79 times for the Ukranian club with 3 goals.
He has played for Romania since 2002, and now has over 50 caps for his country and one goal.
He was born in Slatina, Romania in May, 1981, stands 5′10″ tall, and played for both FCM Bacău and Rapid BucureÅŸti in Romania, before joining Shakhtar.
It may be that Newcastle’s first choice for left-back will be Nicky Shorey, but if we cannot get Nicky at a decent price, Razvan may be a decent alternative, although the 27 year-old has no PL experience.
Comments welcome.
29 responses so far ↓
1 Ben_BKK // Jun 19, 2008 at 17:50
He has looked one of Romania’s best players so far. But then again they did play against very below-par French and Italian teams, and their frailties were shown against the Dutch reserve team.
It’s all down to KK, if he thinks the guy’s good enough, then so do I
2 fip // Jun 19, 2008 at 17:53
he looked good in the euros but apart from that i have no clue about what he is like for shaktar
anyone know if hes decent for them?
3 Anthony // Jun 19, 2008 at 17:55
no thx
4 iain // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:01
had the chance to sign them before (typical nufc) but we thought no proper lb and gooch would be better suited for our defence.
i like the look of goain bt not sure rat is any better than shorey, but then it all comes down to our budget i suppose and whether keegan wants a new no1 lb our no2 back as back up to the bull.
feel sorry for romania becuase imo there 3 players away from having a real quality first 11. they need two good wingers and a target man.
tamas the other ch and radoi the ch playing cm also impressed me as has chivu but the chances of him leaving inter are zero. must be devasting being a roma fan knowing they had chivu now they have riise.
5 Sir Asian Magpie // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:08
Seemed a solid player from what I saw of him in the championships, hammer of a left foot but then a player cant just be signed on the basis of 3 performances. However, having seen him play last season too for Shakhtar in some european games, I honestly thought he stood as i remember him being linked sometime last year too.
I wouldn’t mind taking him for £4m, £5m maybe pushing it. Shorey at £3m maybe the better option financially..
6 joe // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:11
has everyone seen how hideous the new change kit is lol
7 A geordiedoonsooth // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:14
I am beggining to think that us Toon fans will have to get used to the fact that we are now a 2nd rate club along with Blunderland & the Smoggies. We can’t even compete with Aston Villa, Spurs & Man City. Hard times ahead I am afraid
8 Toonboy // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:17
How many players have we been linked with now ???over 100??? I hope all the speculation ends soon and we start buying some players.
9 geordiegraham // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:21
a liked him but a didnt think he was 27. shorey is the best bet like
10 Bucks_mag // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:24
Geordie Graham,
Shorey is 27 as well
11 mozza // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:25
it’s aboot 250 toonboy
12 micepie // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:25
And what’s this?!
Fans’ verdict: Sunderland will finish above Newcastle and Boro next season Sunderland Echo - Sunderland AFC 17:02
I suppose every club is going to be optimistic going into the new season. I don’t hate Sunderland at all, but
realistically they’ll be lucky to avoid relegation next year. To the best players even the Toon are a far more attractive propsition…
13 mozza // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:28
i wonder what gives them this confidence, oh yes the way keane spent the best part of 60 mill on all those fantastic buys last season
14 nitro // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:41
any of u guys saw the new away kit?its purple in colour..lol
15 ToonKing // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:48
cut the crap all ready and get some real players in.
16 ToonKing // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:49
change kit is terrible, who was the idiot how came up with the PURPLE !! damn..
17 ToonKing // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:49
also there is a supposed silver “cup” kit lol, it sure can’t beat the purple though…..
18 nitro // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:53
“cup” kit?not many cups we are in that i know of..another money making scam just like the argentine looking kit last season..if i remember we only wore it once against arsenal?
19 DMAG // Jun 19, 2008 at 18:54
He Should go to Liverpool!
20 gorskino10 // Jun 19, 2008 at 19:07
Nicky shorey is crap forget him and get Zhirkov for LB then it will be easier to get Asharvin, forget these players but Rat has looked good though. but i would rather buy Zhirkov.
21 robertsa // Jun 19, 2008 at 19:12
after missing out on riise this guy is perfect i can see it now
beye cuellar collochini rat
22 Luke // Jun 19, 2008 at 19:20
this is so tedious.
there was rag talk about the player…
then a few days later some slow-poke picks it up for their own empty columns…
and now it’s a ‘resurfaced’ rumour.
give me a break.
23 mark // Jun 19, 2008 at 19:25
More chance of signing roland rat!
24 Geordie Nicks // Jun 19, 2008 at 19:41
zhirkov is a left winger
25 Leo // Jun 19, 2008 at 21:46
Rat has a good cross on him like and looks a good footballer the russian left back also looks good but for 5mil rat would be a good purchase.
26 Tom_Toon // Jun 19, 2008 at 21:47
Rat Race
27 gorskino10 // Jun 19, 2008 at 22:11
In fact Zhirkov was playing at LB in his latest match he can play LB or LW.
28 seetow // Jun 20, 2008 at 3:08
how about srna from shakhtar too?
29 m. // Jun 21, 2008 at 15:35
howay the rats
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