Newcastle are being linked with a lot of players already, long before the summer transfer window even opens.
Fernando Alexandre – midfielder is in blue
And the latest player Newcastle have been linked with today is Portuguese midfield star Fernando Alexandre.
The Portuguese midfielder is currently at Portuguese club Leixoes – and they have been struggling this season.
Leixas are currently second bottom of the Portuguese Liga, a full 5 points behind 3rd placed Vitoria Setubal, and the bottom two teams are relegated.
The 5’10” player began his career at Benfica, where he was from 2004 until 2007, but never made a first team appearcne at the club although he did play 27 times for Benfica B.
He was transferred to Mafra in 2007 but was there for only one season, before joining Estrela Amadora in 2008.
And one year later he joined Braga and has been on loan at Leixos all this season.
24-year-old Alexandre has played about 115 first class games with about 9 goals. Today, the player’s agent has confirmed that he has already talked with his club Bragag about the interest that seems to be emanating from England.
His agent Paulo Barbosa said today:
“I am have a meeting with Braga and the function of it will be to advance this subject,”
And the player himself admits he thinks he would do very well in England and wants to play in the Premier League – who doesn’t?
Alexandre said today:
“If the offer is positive for everyone, then I would be diposed to take up the challenge,”
“To play in the Premier League would be an incredible experience.”
“But at the moment I am fighting hard for Leixoes – but it is always good clubs such as Newcastle are looking at you, it is flattering.”
“My agent is handling things, but nothing is finalised as I still have three years on my contract at Braga.”
When an agent is involved you have to usually take things with a pinch of salt, because he is only trying to drum up interest in his client.
It is being reported that Alexandre would cost around €2M, and that’s within the range that Newcastle can afford, but it’s clear Newcasle are after midfield play-makers this summer.
We really have no idea how good this player is, so if any of our Portuguese readers read this – just how good is this lad?
Comments welcome.
9 comments so far
gunnarnufc
Mar 22, 2010 at 12:25 PM
Comment #1Sounds interesting. We will need a decent DM for competition and cover in the PL.
BTW, Lille just slapped a 20 mill price tag on Hazard. Hate to say I told you so.
Solaidback
Mar 22, 2010 at 1:08 PM
Comment #2Don’t you just love all the rumours of players we’re being linked too & we haven’t even been confirmed as being promoted yet… lol
This will be just another agent letting clubs know his man is for hire & nothing else, I doubt for one instance that CH or Ashley will want to bring in any unexperienced players, especially those from outside the UK to try & help us stay up in the PL next season, it would be a complete waste of money & time, a bit like it was last season when Wise brought in Gonzalas & Xisco!!!
Just take all these rumours with a pinch of salt until you hear it direct from Hughton himself!!
gunnarnufc
Mar 22, 2010 at 1:42 PM
Comment #3I kind of agree with you Solaidback but I’m not to much against bringing in foreign talent, if these players are not to old and expensive. If a player can be recruited for less than, lets say, 3-4 mill and is 24 or younger and if the scouts have had a gooood look at him I say go for it. The thing is that when Newcastle have bought players who have never played in England (and usually done quite bad) they have been this “last day of transfer window panic” signings like Luque, Boumsong, Xisco, Gonzales etc.
My dream scouting system would be a mix of what Wigan has in the past 3 years, bringing in young (but not like academy young) players from south america and africa(Rodallega, Valencia, Palacios), and Arsenal youngster scouting/academy. I would rather take a chance and sign a foreign 20-24 year old who has done very well in his own country for 2-3 mills who could prove to be a hit (Bassong etc) than to spend more money on some extremely average (if you can say that) player who won’t improve the squad (but only give options) only because we can be sure he wont be total shiiit while also knowing he won’t really be improving the squad (Ryan Taylor is an example of this).
Robby Bobson
Mar 22, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Comment #4Hopefully we are looking at all of these players we are linked with.
The more we look at the better chance we wont get another flop.
StaffsToon
Mar 22, 2010 at 3:20 PM
Comment #5Sorry but this lad doesnt sound like hes pullin up any fences… personally i dont have a problem where players come from as long as they are not a complete gamble and we are sure they can take us forward – vitally important with the limited funds MA is likely to provide.
petey
Mar 22, 2010 at 3:46 PM
Comment #6we should really sign mattias fernandez from sporting lisbon.
Quality player
lesh
Mar 22, 2010 at 4:08 PM
Comment #7Ok ok, don’t get excited about being linked with everbody and their mothers.
It’s that time of year and the Club’s trying to bump up demand for season tickets.
It’s happened every year and long befor MA pitched up!
BigB75
Mar 22, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Comment #8ED- Blue and white is a Porto player….and this guy is not a bad player…i would say a good bench player…. can play any where on the mid field….
DJG
Mar 22, 2010 at 6:18 PM
Comment #9I think we should take all of this with a big pinch of salt.
Between now and the start of next season we will be linked with 100’s of players. Most of it is pure hogwash.
Hopefully we will have some sort of decent scouting system in place under Graham Carr.