Newcastle Are In For Miguel Veloso

May 8th, 2008 by Ed Harrison · 77 Comments

Good news today that Newcastle United are understood to have entered the race to sign Sporting Lisbon midfield star Miguel Veloso.

Miguel Veloso - great Newcastle target

The very highly-rated Portugal international has already been linked with Manchester United and Tottenham.

However, the good news is that of those 3 teams, Newcastle is said to be the only one so far, which has made a firm approach for the player.

We will not have to raise our hopes too high on this one, but you cannot criticize Newcastle for not going after the very best players, since Velosa is an excellent player already and a great prospect for the future.

Reports suggest Newcastle are willing to offer around Â£15M for the youngster, and will offer Miguel a five-year contract at St James’ Park.

Sporting have previously said they will not sell for less than around Â£23M so any deal could still be a long way off.

But it will also be important for Newcastle to try to get a deal done very quickly, and not risk some other club coming in - as was the case with Modric - and take the player from under our noses.

Of course, we do understand we are not in a particularly strong position for the top players, but hopefully Kevin will talk to each potential target and describe his goals for the club. That should help.

Veloso is Portuguese and plays defensive midfield for Sporting Lisbon, but he can also play as a center-back or left-back. He is also a threat on set pieces with his free kicks.

Miguel started his career at SL Benfica where his father, Antonio, was a famous footballer. But at the age of 14 he switched to rivals Sporting Clube de Portugal, where he has now played for 5 straight seasons and eventually made the first team squad in the 2004-2005 season.

He stands 5â€™11â€³ tall and has played for Sporting Lisbon 22 times.

Last August, Miguel was called up for the Portuguese national squad for the first time, for a European 2008 qualifier against Armenia and he eventually made his full international debut for Portugal against Azerbaijan on 13 October 2007.

Of course lots of fans will remember another young Portuguese player Hugo Viana, for whom we paid close to Â£10M, when Bobby Robson was manager, and he just didn’t make it at Newcastle.

Miguel has so far played 5 times for his country.

Comments welcome.

Tags: Newcastle News · Recruitment · Transfer News and Rumours

77 responses so far ↓

1 Tom_Toon // May 8, 2008 at 15:45

Great player.
2 JC // May 8, 2008 at 15:45

You got this one up quick ed, fair play!!
3 JC // May 8, 2008 at 15:46

Would be a quality signing IF we got him
4 nasher // May 8, 2008 at 15:49

heard this too many times before, wont belive it until hes in the press room at sjp!
5 Ed Harrison // May 8, 2008 at 15:50

nasher - right - we’ll just have to hope for the best.
6 Yahya Ahmad // May 8, 2008 at 15:52

Just pay them 23 million and get him quick!
7 JC // May 8, 2008 at 15:52

Tom Toon wat is the name of the other young cm from sporting!
8 Hamas (51times) // May 8, 2008 at 15:53

I’m not hopeful, really. But like I said before I’m just going to wait and see what happens without getting excited or concerned. Well, maybe the latter…
9 Dave // May 8, 2008 at 15:54

JC, you thinking of Moutinho?
10 Spyro // May 8, 2008 at 15:56

moutinho, guys i wouldnt even bother getting your hopes up about Veloso, its possible, but not a likely signing
11 Spyro // May 8, 2008 at 15:58

by the way, where has this news come from
12 JC // May 8, 2008 at 15:58

Yeah is he not good as well or is veloso better?
13 THELONGSHANKS // May 8, 2008 at 15:58

If we get him our young midfield would be nzogbia,veleso,lua lua,milner i like the look of that one for the future,have to hope zog stays aswell.
14 JC // May 8, 2008 at 16:00

Setanta Sports
15 Tom_Toon // May 8, 2008 at 16:01

Wouldnt get Moutinho, he wont fit the prem.

If Veloso comes id give him the armband.
16 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 8, 2008 at 16:03

we need to sign him
17 Spyro // May 8, 2008 at 16:03

for gods sake, people are already pasting him into our next seasons midfield. wtf!? stop setting yourselves up for disappointment. As soon as we make an offer the big clubs will swoop.

Veloso is much better than Moutinho
18 Tom_Toon // May 8, 2008 at 16:05

Id like a few players from eastern europe, except from the opvious Arshavin and Daniel Carvalho.

Bilayetadinov, Bystrov and Husyev in particular.
19 moomfan // May 8, 2008 at 16:06

has the liverpool boss lost his blooming noggin? 15m for the twyne is incredibly rediculous. he would have fitted in to our squad nicely, but not a bob over 7m in my eyes. that is exactly why these big clubs are able to spend lots of money, they jack their prices and the dumb smaller clubs feel they have not choice. not true, cruochi can rot on liverpool’s f-ing bench if that is what he prefers or he can make sure that rafa get reasonable. the same goes for all the rest. it is either they want to sell or they don’t. price gouging is not honorable.
20 richie // May 8, 2008 at 16:06

speculation kiling me ,lets be greedy and move fast t get

veloso
mcgeady
dunne
campbell
crouch
bridge
gudjohnson

IF THEY WOULD SIGN, more hopeful than anyhtin since modric let down
21 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 8, 2008 at 16:10

no one will no anything untill tomorow, i cant wait for the new tomorow. im with tom toon about eastern europe. i also like that tymoschuck holding midfield player from zenit. daniel carvalho is qaulity but seems to be off to inter mate but that bilyetdinov seems to be one of the best youngerns around atm
22 Hamas (51times) // May 8, 2008 at 16:11

moomfan - What are you talking about? Seriously I have no idea what you were trying to say.
23 ObaFan2 // May 8, 2008 at 16:12

Wake me up when we actually sign someone thanks

It might be easier to post about people we are not intersted in!!!!!!!!!
24 Hadrian // May 8, 2008 at 16:15

going to spurs .
25 seetow // May 8, 2008 at 16:15

wouldn’t get my hopes high on this one.. would be gutted to see him go to manure or someone else. but wouldn’t be too sad seeing him go to spurs, cos that would mean goldfish-bowl-jenas wouldn’t get a game!
26 ObaFan2 // May 8, 2008 at 16:15

Hamas, Rafa has put Â£15 million tag on Crouch and I think moomfan thinks this is a little high lol.
27 JC // May 8, 2008 at 16:19

That Bystrov lad is meant to be a rocket tom toon or I’m thinking of someone else?
28 Hamas (51times) // May 8, 2008 at 16:20

Yeah that is a little high. He’s English though so it’s to be expected.
29 toonoholic // May 8, 2008 at 16:22

sigh , i am ready to be disappointed again. finally we might just sign amdy faye again
30 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 8, 2008 at 16:23

IF CROUCH IS WORTH 15, THEN OBA IS WORTH 30
31 Hadrian // May 8, 2008 at 16:23

yeah sure rafa , offer 10 mill for barry and set a price tag of 15 for crouch , i can see how he worked that one out !
32 Ant // May 8, 2008 at 16:25

NEWS JUST IN!

No-one in the Premier League wants Alan Smith.

The tea-boy at Stoke City had this to say “Alan Smith is a terrible player. He wasn’t great at Leeds, was average for Man U and is worse than a chocolate fire guard at Newcastle. We have people in wheelchairs with better finishing”

Alan Smith - The professional footballing equivalent of banging a 30 stone woman with BO. There’s not enough beer to make this look right.
33 Stami - PLAY CARROLL // May 8, 2008 at 16:36

Crouch is worth 12m at most IMO! he is a great player, getting older, but experienced and an absolute master infront of goal! his goal scoring record is impressive too. if Viduka is really going to be out for 6 months(more like 8 ) then Crouch should be a must! Unless Carroll is ready to play 1st team next season!
34 ObaFan2 // May 8, 2008 at 16:36

Oba’s priceless in my books
35 Eric // May 8, 2008 at 16:38

Great if we can get Veloso. It will spark others to go for him though. Spurs in the chase? How many midfielders do they want to play? Ten each game?
36 Tom_Toon // May 8, 2008 at 16:38

JC, you are thinking of the right player.

Bystrov is probably one of the fastest footballer on earth.
37 Thomas // May 8, 2008 at 17:02

Just hoping if at all we do enter the race for veloso, we finish in 1st place this time atleast.

Just pay damn good money and get him. There are greedy people out there so hoping he’s one.

Aint getting my hopes too high this time around thou!!
38 UTD111 // May 8, 2008 at 17:06

Ant - I think your comments about Smithy are offensive and inaccurate. In spite of the culture which has formed amongst “regulars” in this blog, there are many United fans who agree with Kevin Keegan that Smithy is an excellent squad player and a great professional to have around the club.
39 Petey // May 8, 2008 at 17:12

If he is in any way linked to man united, then they will probably get him. Man united and sporting are pretty much working like a parent/feeder club with each other. Or at least thats what it seems.
Either way, if we are going potuguese, then we shud go for Lucho Gonzalez (argentinian i know, but he plays for porto) but thats just my opinion. I dont speak for kk YET!
40 greg // May 8, 2008 at 17:13

well that’s him signing for Spurs, then
41 Hamas (51times) // May 8, 2008 at 17:26

But how would he get a game at Man Utd? I suppose he’d be willing to sit on the bench though. If that.
42 Thomas // May 8, 2008 at 17:27

The thing about Smith is that he’s been played all over the pitch and never really had a ’settled spot’, not to forget his horrible injury. But he never complains and gives 110%. Sadly thats just not enough these days.

Hope everyone realizes this before starting to have a go at him. Last thing we want is another dyer right??
43 Tim H // May 8, 2008 at 17:31

Zogba - he’s SO not Toon….

and he want’s the bright lights of London (sorry, I mean want’s to be closer to his family….can’t they move ??)

Hope he’s gone soon, Â£10 mill at least i think we could get…
44 Tom_Toon // May 8, 2008 at 17:34

rather have another Dyer. At least he scored.
45 Dondatta13 // May 8, 2008 at 17:43

Van der Vaart? lol

Sorry!
46 Thomas // May 8, 2008 at 17:47

I meant attitude-wise Tom_Toon.

Wouldn’t mind another dyer right now thou.. With a better attitude that is!

How about that nathan dyer.. is he any good?
47 Tom_Toon // May 8, 2008 at 17:48

Cant say. Not a fan of the championship.
48 Davies // May 8, 2008 at 17:49

If we keep up this kind of interest in good players we could bankrupt Spurs before the end of the season.
49 geordie nick // May 8, 2008 at 17:58

cant see man utd goin after him really, they dnt need him they hav hargreaves,scholes, carrick, fletcher and anderson so if thy did get veloso i would expect one of those to be sold and would quite happily take any of them
50 scott9 // May 8, 2008 at 17:58

wud be an unbelievable signing i hope this is true however if man utd ar seriously interseted tney will get him but they already hav enough midfioleders in that position so i wud hopen they wont bother
51 Dom4Toon // May 8, 2008 at 18:00

God i hope this is true, Veloso is great!
52 scott9 // May 8, 2008 at 18:03

just imagine
given
beye dunne cambel enrique
joaquin veloso barton
owen
crouch martins
53 scott9 // May 8, 2008 at 18:04

rafa says he wants 15m for crouch but i think we wud get him for 10m and i think if we wanted him we wud beat everyone else to him
54 Oba // May 8, 2008 at 18:12

Another ridiculous rumour. If this happens I will eat my hat, regurgitate it, possibly twice over and eat it again.

Oh, and it will be on YouTube.
55 KKN39 // May 8, 2008 at 18:19

we do need a big man upfront - whether he’s a out and out target man or deep-lying forward - I hope Carroll can fill in Duke’s boot in a year or two, but before that can we get Zigic on loan? how about the Chikhaoui, big, young, skilful and excellent prospect? in worst case I’d prefer a 3m bid for Heskey to keeping the hopeless Smith. 15m for Crouch? u gotta be kidding Rafa, no thanks.
56 Hamas (51times) // May 8, 2008 at 18:23

Not really ridiculous, we know Keegan has seen him before, and it’s not the first time we’ve been linked.
57 Oba // May 8, 2008 at 18:35

So, he wouldn’t join us anyway. He’d join someone elsewhere. We clearly won’t be the only team interested.
58 Obafan // May 8, 2008 at 18:46

Let us wait and see what happens. I think it is important that tomorrow KK and MA (and DW) all look into the same direction and that they share the vision of the club all together.

If tomorrow results in a good constructive conversation (in which I strongly believe) then we can start to go after players who can strengthen our team!
59 Ant // May 8, 2008 at 19:14

If I was being paid the money Alan Smith is being paid for my lack of natural talent and terrible performance in every professional aspect, I would expect more than passive abuse on a blog.

I would expect a flogging…with really big sticks.
60 Bill F // May 8, 2008 at 19:24

As you have said that this is a race in your headline Ed, where are we ranked in the lineup or are we starting with a major handcap.
61 Magpies Zone // May 8, 2008 at 19:56

Speculations…I predict none of any players that have been mention in the tabloids would be the next Toon players.

Too good to be true!
62 jonny s // May 8, 2008 at 20:10

would break the bank for moutinho, veloso and arshavin. These players will make our team great next season. All problem positions! Signing moutinho and arshavin would push micky owen back up front where he is best suited and could go back to playing off the shoulder of the last defender. They are both quality passers and could get owen scring 20 a season again. The veloso signging would push nicky butt into being a squad player, which to be honest is what he should be now! Although he has had another good season he has repeatedly given the ball away again after winning posession. I would definately sign Gomis from St Ettiene, he will be the new Drogba, without the diving. I believe if we dont sign him he’ll be playing for 1 of the best in europe in the next 2 years.
63 chuck // May 8, 2008 at 20:16

Would love to see Veloso, A Billy Bremner , Roy Keane, Jimmy Scoular, take charge “No Passeran” type player who is badly needed and is the essential foundation for every team looking for success, grab him!
64 Hadji // May 8, 2008 at 20:43

I think with a direct offer of 20 mill,Sporting will let their guard down.We must act fast though,this Tottenham strategy is gettin on my nerves.They wait to see how much we offer so they can increase the bid.
Where’s that low life Shearer the Yidd.
65 Leo // May 8, 2008 at 22:25

great player, but am going to hold back my team sheet with him in until he signs haha
66 Oga // May 9, 2008 at 0:51

We can always dream.

Arshavin-Barton-Veloso-Nzogbia

———Martins/Owen-Gudjohnsen

That would be a very interesting team IMO
67 clinta // May 9, 2008 at 1:17

Does KK even get to speak to these players in the new look scouting system? I thought it didn’t seem to be the case, which definately would be a shame as we need his pursation and encouragement if where going to get any decent player in.
68 richie // May 9, 2008 at 1:20

id offer rafa 10mil for crouch
69 Lawman // May 9, 2008 at 1:35

Give them the Â£23m and close the deal now before “doing another Modric”.

If Nani and Ronaldo and anything to go by, Velosa should be a great prospect with Sporting Lisbon pedigree.

Hugo Viana wasn’t as bad as people made him out to be. I guess people kept thinking about his Â£12m transfer fee and in that respect, he was definitely not value for money but a crap player he wasn’t.
70 richie // May 9, 2008 at 1:39

i agree lawman, i jus hope kk is pushing the chairman to spend spend spend

i think we need a 20 mill signing to lift the place
71 Ausgeordie // May 9, 2008 at 1:53

UTD111

“The regulars” as you call us are only judging him by the games he has played. He has not had one great game since joining the club. Seriously not one. He has not scored, has not assisted more than once or twice and has cost us countless free kicks in damaging areas placing the defence under great pressure. His positioning is awful and he fins himself on top of other players and getting in the way. I have never seen him make a run a la Owen or Martins. Everytime he holds the ball up he falls over backwards and yells for a free kick but his technique is at fault not the other player. Guaranteed to get a yellow card in almost every game he is a liability in the midfield and up front. Whatever he had…. he has lost through years of not playing and if we can sell him or convince him to leave we should do so asap. He is only professional in that he has not punched someone but the way he hacks into other players and abuses refs is thoroughly unprofessional and should not be applauded just casue he shows bottle.

He chose to stay at Man U and rot on the bench instead of chasing first team football! Perhaps if he had been more ambitious, taken a wage hit and tried to play as though it was his passion he would not have lost the skills that seem to be so apparent to you.

I can see him going to Sunderland to play for keane up front where they can talk about the old days and he can get first team football without the pressure of actually having to be good.

Ants comments maybe offensive but that does mean they are inaccurate.
72 tapir // May 9, 2008 at 2:36

i think its not really about we buyin this called so great player but our move and commitment to approach is a good step!
if team like Spurs,City and Everton can go for a top and world class player why cant we??
at least it show we have a mission and vision!!!
A thousand journey start with a single step!
73 UTD111 // May 9, 2008 at 8:43

Ausgeordie - your opinion is noted, but I don’t agree - must be going to a different match to you!! Every team needs flexible utility players - and Smithy fits the bill for me. He is a good leader of the line when played up front and lays the ball on well (eg Everton at home). In midfield he is tidy, aggressive and rarely wastes a pass. And he could also play in defence in an emergency.
If Sir Kevin wants him around, maybe just maybe he values him?
74 deano // May 9, 2008 at 9:19

this is the kind of players we want
young
set pice fantastic somthing we have not had in a long time

emre was ok just not all the time
75 Graezo // May 9, 2008 at 9:45

lets move on from the mega priced stars of today and target the up and coming players of tomorrow. Players like Veloso, Modric - unlucky on that one. We may not win much in the next two years but in 3-4 years we have enough to be in the top two or three.
come on!!
76 Neilos // May 9, 2008 at 10:29

I hope Mike Ashley is reading some of these blogs.

I would love to see players like Veloso and Joaquin to come to the toon but im not sure anymore.

No European Football where not in London, APPARENTLY we donâ€™t have much money too spend

Plus Keegan said he wanted Premiership players. He also says we need 3 or 4 signings I think we need around 8 because our squad is so small.

What if we get more horrific injuries to players like previous seasons.

I would break the bank for David Bentley and David Villa and we are desperate for a creative midfielder.
77 Dondatta13 // May 9, 2008 at 15:56

Hi, just saw this link … Apparently we have slapped down a 20 Million Euro offer on the table

http://www.portugoal.net/Sporting0708/200805095NewcastleVelosoBid.htm

Id like him at SJP … and Van der Vaart also

The Newcastle United Blog

News, Views and Comment On Newcastle United Football Club By Ed Harrison, A Proud Geordie And Lifelong Fan