Add Granero To Newcastle’s Summer Transfer Targets

Friday April 11th, 2008 by Ed Harrison· 77 Comments

Newcastle and Tottenham seem to be after the same players come this summer’s transfer window.

Esteban Granero - promising 20 year-old central midfield player

The latest player that both clubs are reported to be interested in is Real Madrid’s exciting midfielder Esteban Granero, and he’s just 20 years old.

Esteban would presumably fit between the youth players Newcastle will sign and the senior players we will sign, but no doubt if Newcastle can persuade him to come to Tyneside in the summer, he will go straight into the first team squad.

His transfer fee of £10M seems huge for a person of his age with limited first team experience. Hugo Viana, who was a flop at Newcastle for about the same fee, and was the young European Footballer of the Year when he signed for the club in June 2002, immediately comes to mind.

But it seems like Estevan, who stands 5′10″ and is a central midfielder, is destined for fame as a football player, when you look at his history so far. Esteban joined the youth ranks of Real Madrid when he was just eight years old in 1996, and has displayed his footballing talent ever since.

In one single season he scored 83 goals in the Under-10 division, and in 1999 he captained the Under-12 B team that won the International Football-7 Tournament held in Barcelona by defeating the host side 1-0, with his overtime goal. He was named the best player of the competition.

He joined Real Madrid at the age of 17, and in that same season he debuted with Real Madrid Castilla, which is Real’s reserve team who play in the Spanish second division - the Spanish Segunda.

Granero then made the jump to Castilla in 2006-07, and slowly earned the confidence of coach Míchel until finally becoming a regular starter.

Last August 31, the last day of the summer transfer window, Granero moved to Getafe CF, on a one year loan. Getafe play in the Spanish First Division – the La Liga. Here’s Esteban’s career record so far:

Years 	   Club 	        App  Goals

2004-2006  Real Madrid C         48    9
2006-2007  Real Madrid Castilla  31    4
2007–2008  Getafe (loan)         34    6

Reports suggest that Real Madrid are willing to let him move on, but if he’s that good we wonder why they would let him go.

What do you think about Granero? Please let us know.

Comments very welcome.

Tags: Transfer News and Rumours · Newcastle News

77 responses so far ↓

1 toon4lyf // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:05

sounds ok but i think we should buy
julio arca
d allsandro
palleta
crouch
bridge
2 rob // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:12

well we should take a risk
3 Spyro // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:12

why would you want a player who ruined what was left of Shearers career?
4 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:15

Arca fell on shearer by mistake there was no malice i was there
5 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:15

Is palletta the guy who lasted 5 minutes at Liverpool
6 Tom_Toon // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:18

Good player but Real want him back to play. His release clause is something like 25 mil aswell!
7 Bill F // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:24

Is that the same D’Alessandro who was briefly at the Smoggies. I see he is back in Argentina, I remember seeing him a few seasons back in the Argentina league and I can’t remember any player who was fouled as much as he was. I was amazed he managed to finish any matches.
He took it all though and never stopped trying would be a great buy for us.

I see that Chelski might be going to offer 25M for Huntelaar. Despite all of his goals I am not convinced he will shape up in the EPL, still rather have Crouch or Gomis.
8 Ross // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:29

Chelski have a habit of that Bill F and they never seem to learn, so let them do it.
if he pulls it off, fair play to them.
but look at sheva, fair enough he hasnt been terrible but for the player he is and the reputation he had, i’d be disappointed if i was a chelski fan.
9 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:35

Bill F i thought D’Allassandro was at pompey?
10 Bill F // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:37

Lets not forget that it is petty cash for the oil baron, Ashley is a pauper by comparison.
11 Bill F // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:40

Craigg is there more than one, perhaps we are getting confused with different players, I am sure the one I was thinking of was on the Argie highlights this week.
12 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:42

I remember Boro having a few brazilians, but maybe youre right i just cant think of any argies playing for them
13 Bill F // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:48

Any Smoggies having a look at our site, if so can you sort this out as I am not sure either. I really thought they had this guy and I thought he was an Argie.

Or does any of our encyclopeadic regulars know?
14 Tom_Toon // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:50

D’Alessandro played for pompey.
15 Bill F // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:51

Just off to watch Benidorm, has to be one of the best p*ss takes ever of Brits abroad. Anyone else watch it.
16 Tom // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:51

hmmm goal to game record doesnt look right good.
17 Leo // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:55

isnt arca an argie bargie?

d’elasandro or whatevr his name is, is an angry bloke like.

never seen granero but he is a central midfielder which is what we need so good…
18 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:55

I think Benidorm is OK im more of an Al Murray man myself

A likeable londoner theres a first time for everything
19 Leo // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:56

am recording it for later bill. johnny vegas is a legend
20 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 20:57

Arca is an argie playing for Smogs but i think this was a while ago 05-06 i think, Defo played at pompey he had a shit mohawk i remember him playing at SJP
21 Tom_Toon // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:01

Benidorm, what a show.

Also Balls of Steel, that is the way forward.
22 Bob // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:03

Has anyone here seen Granero play on a regular basis?

I thought he was great during Getafe vs Spurs (Jol’s last game) but one game isn’t enough to tell. The whole Spurs team was terrible that day so….
23 Nick C // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:08

I would love Arca here. I think he would be a mint signing.
24 ronaldeano // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:08

Watch Jimmy Carr ‘Comedian’, funny as fook!!!
25 CC // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:09

D’Alessandro was at Portsmouth on loan and is Argentinian, Arca played for Smogys then Mackems also Argentinian. Would not welcome either in a black n white shirt.

If we buy any young up and coming players it will be a gamble… obviously?! Otherwise they’d be established, valued @ £10 million and upwards like Richards, Walcott, Ismael Aissati, Pato, Bale, Sergio Aguero and we won’t be getting anybody like that in the summer!
26 Lee // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:12

BOB

Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of Granero - He is a very, very good player and could well play for he national squad in the summer at the euros. Don’t be put off by the fact that Real let him go, he only went out on loan and that has more to with Real Madrid’s inability to incorporate youth players in to the first team - than it does Granero’s talent. Real will spend to satisfy an egomanaiacal president before they are even aware of the talent under their very noses. I’ve seen a lot of Granero and am sure he would make a good premiership player - I’m not how sure Real are willing to let him go though and he may well go back to Real.

There is a short profile of him on my site:

http://spanishfootball.typepad.com/la_liga_review/2008/02/esteban-granero.html

Not sure if I’m allowed to link like that - hope you dont think I’m spamming.
27 Tom_Toon // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:14

Arca has been shocking for Boro of late.
28 scottish mag // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:17

tom toon boro are shocking lol
29 Tom_Toon // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:18

true
30 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:19

Did anyone see MOTD last weekend David Wheater ” Well win the north-east mini league no worries” Someone should tell him Boro is actually in Yorkshire, I hate this myth about boro being a major rival to us the only rivallry i see is against those pieces of shit we face next week.
31 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:21

On that note everyone knows we will be flooded by mackems this time next week

Mackemrubberjohnny who says Consett is a shithole despite living in Sunderland!
32 scottish mag // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:21

does anyone think we have a chance of getting lucho gonzalez from porto i think he would fit in well with the team
33 toon4lyf // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:22

naw arca has been playing well did u wtch there match v united
34 dkmagpie // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:24

I watch Getafes mathes every week, and I really hope they buy Granero. Maybe 10M is too expensive, but he has been playing very well this season. He use to play as left winger for Getafe and he have a very good shoot from distance, good vision and very good passing skills like the rest of the getafe team. And he is only 20 years old.

But i would prefere De La Red from the same team. He just got a call-up to the spanish national team, and is maybe the main reason for Getafes succes this season. He best position is a playmaker, but can also play defensive midfielder and central defender. Has no weaknesses. But i thinkhe go to Real Madrid next season unfortunatly.

But there is also Juan Albin and Pablo Hernandez from Getafe. All good passing players who is influenced of Michal Laudrup attack-minded style.
35 Tom_Toon // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:25

No, why would i watch boro.
36 toon4lyf // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:25

aye lucho is mint
37 toon4lyf // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:27

well how do you no arca has been playing bad then
38 Spyro // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:28

point lol
39 Tom_Toon // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:34

Speaking to boro fans and well they show his worst and best bit on MOTD and lets say his best bits havent been good and his worst bits have been very bad!
40 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:36

I tell you what STEVEN DAVIS was amazing for Rangers the other day and looks back to his Villa player of the year best again, better than a risky lad from spain surely…
41 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:38

Certainly outshone VELOSO who ive seen against ManUtd home and away and Rangers home and away this season and looks like he cant hack it against physical British sides

Let Manure have him then well have Carrick of them
42 Tom_Toon // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:38

AmazinG? He was good.

Rather have Granero from what ive seen of him.
43 scottish mag // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:38

whereever this kid ends up he is gonna have a great career ahead of him maybe jeff vetere saw huge potential in him when at madrid and that is where the recomendation has came from for keegan
44 Tom_Toon // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:39

Veloso is better than Carrick!
45 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:41

He was much better than good, Latin lads are risky the weather isnt right for them, they play for free kicks at the slightest touch and are generally not right for Newcastle

Davis would be a cheaper and better long term option
46 scottish mag // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:41

why dont we get both carrick and veloso then save on arguing lol
47 scottish mag // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:42

davis couldnt get into fulhams team and they are going down no thanks rather have one of these silky foreigners
48 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:42

Maybe he is a better player but is he better for NUFC no way!

The same as Dalglish was a more successful manager but is he better than the king for NUFC no way!
49 richie // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:43

owen garven called into irish squad, 20 ipwsich centre midfielder comes from a famous footballing family in ireland mick martin etc,

liam brady tips him and has told trapatoni, also has been likened to s.gerrard style play

we should get em even if it takes him a couple more seasons
50 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:44

That is one of the greatest mysteries going that Davis was allowed to go out on loan as he is better than anything they have
51 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:45

Garvan looks really good when ive seen him play

What about Surman from Southampton
52 Bill F // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:45

So anyone worked out how many players we have been linked to by now, we could have a squad of 200+ by the start of next season.
53 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:47

If we sign half the players we have been linked with this season the we will have some strength in depth
54 scottish mag // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:47

if we hadnt been linked with all these players none of us would be sitting here the now trying to find out who we have been linked with would we bill
55 Spyro // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:49

richie you love this garven guy dont you? lol

not going to lie though, from the little i have seen of him, he seems good
56 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:50

Are we actually finding anything out?

this is the usual BS from the papers and i doubt KK has heard of him.
57 richie // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:50

surman i actually haven seen but know of,,,

did u see garven against eng u21’s?
id love if he signed cause he has all the attributes and we should take the punt before he goes elsewhere

huge things expected from irish
58 ScottyT // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:50

lads gotta agree balls of steel - mint
jimmy carr comedian - mint

anyways lol tha footy .. as usual no idea really about these foreign players but sounds like hes a really good prospect
59 CRAIGG // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:52

Surman is a bit like a left footed Bentley not really fast but puts some sweet crosses in and good from set pieces.
60 Bill F // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:58

Scottish Mag, dead right there. Perhaps Ed could do a poll of the likliest ones or the most mentioned. Won’t acheive anything but it could be a laugh.
61 Spyro // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:59

no i didnt see it rich, i have just seen him on the odd occassion for ipswich, he holds on to the ball very well and has good vision
62 ScottyT // Apr 11, 2008 at 21:59

someone i do rate is gareth bale.. he wont leave spurs now though

shame we couldnt get him b4 he went to spurs looks a great player down the left. but we injured him at st james for the season anyways so haha lol
63 scottish mag // Apr 11, 2008 at 22:01

yeah if hes got the time, ed ur a legend putting everything up for all of us, the site is getting better everyday, first place i come to for info even ahead of official nufc site as this is updated more regularly and good to see everybodies opinion

thanx ed keep up the good work
64 richie // Apr 11, 2008 at 22:05

if so sign him!

what u reckon on chances of us gettin bentley??
65 richie // Apr 11, 2008 at 22:07

ah dragoner how are ya been off this a while..ye il see if theres a clip
66 richie // Apr 11, 2008 at 22:09

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5euMLJrtZgc
67 Spyro // Apr 11, 2008 at 22:17

you know what rich, that video doesnt reall ydo the guy much justice, it doesnt show much. Thing is, from what i have seen of Garven he seems like one of those players who you would appreciate a bit more if you see him live. A bit like Carrick, i never rated Carrick as much as everyone else until i saw him live.
68 richie // Apr 11, 2008 at 22:25

yes hes very good positionally and marshals the centre well,composed etc,
69 Tom_Toon // Apr 11, 2008 at 22:28

I like Ovidiu Petre. Could be a cheap option for a cm.
70 richie // Apr 11, 2008 at 22:32

iv always been a fan of 4 4 2 but this 4 3 3 is winning me over say we keep viduka fit and start the 3 up front , wats everyones take on the mid and defence for next season,,

im a fan of barton anyway
71 DC Magpie // Apr 11, 2008 at 23:55

KK has said 4-5 TOP players, with at least one coming from Scotland so let’s stop all this ridiculous mention of Arca, Bridge, Davis etc all shite!

A little ambition plez
72 Macca // Apr 12, 2008 at 0:55

This lad Garven looks like a decent player. There are a fair few Irish players making a few waves. Is it just me or does there seem to be a lot more good young Irish players around the place then there are English?
73 geordie in taipei // Apr 12, 2008 at 8:20

Well if he got 83 goals in the under 10 division then we gotta get him - anyone who can play that well in the under 10s can easily switch to the premier - its a natural progrssion ! LOL…… we got know real adult stats for him?
74 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 12, 2008 at 8:38

get de la red and granera, both look good. Arca is a horrible player, awful. if he came to us id cry for days.
75 Brian // Apr 12, 2008 at 9:34

De la Red has agreed to go back to Real Madrid next year.
76 iain // Apr 12, 2008 at 10:11

real just like nufc let good players go and then buy them back when they realise they have made a huge mistake.

granero and de la red have been awesome since they left real. now madrid want to buy them both back.
77 oli 4 da toon // Apr 12, 2008 at 12:29

nufc shud bii
aimar - zarzgotha- LM/AM
maxi rodrigez - athletico madrid-RM
joao muntinho-sporting-RM
pizarro-roma-CM/DM
and couple of good centre backs and all round defenders