Sky Sports is reporting that Marcelo Mattos says he is unaware of reported interest in him from Portsmouth Football Club and two other Premier League clubs.
Marcelo Mattos - 24 year-old Brazilian midfielder
But the 24-year-old’s agent Pini Zahavi has now confirmed the Fratton Park interest - and that there are two other Premier League clubs interested in the player.
Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Wigan are understood to be keeping close tabs on the player, and we expect the other two clubs are any two out of these three.
Apparently all 3 Premier clubs have already bid for the player, who will become a European citizen at the end of this month, when he collects his Italian passport.
Mattos looked good last season at Panathinaikos, according to the Brazilian midfielder’s agent. (surprise, surprise).
Pini Zahavi told Greek newspaper Goal:
“At this moment we are considering offers from English clubs, one is from Portsmouth and there are two more.”
“But it is possible for Mattos to stay at Panathinaikos, the player is very happy with the working conditions there and he loves the fans.”
“He is also very satisfied with the attitude of the people at the club, we will have to wait a few weeks as the transfer market does not officially open until July.”
We have had dealings before with football agent Zahavi, and of course all agents try to drum up interest in their players, so it’s hard to believe everything they say.
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp went after the 24-year-old last month when he learned there is a release clause in Mattos’ contract of £5.9M.
This means the Greek club must agree to any offer the receive for the player, that is equal to or greater than that.
Mattos says he knows absolutely nothing of Portsmouth’s interest as he told Greece’s SportDay:
“I don’t know anything about Portsmouth,”
“At this moment I play for Panathinaikos and that is the only club on my mind.”
“About the Premier League, I can say that it is the best championship in the world and every player wishes to play there some day.”
“All the best players in the world play there.”
Mattos played for Corinthians in Brazil from 2004 until last year, when he signed for Panathinaikos. He played 134 times for the Brazilian club and scored 17 goals.
He has so far played 32 times for the Greek club scoring 3 goals, but the 6ft tall midfielder has never been capped by Brazil.
While at Corinthians, Marcelo established himself in the team and excelled alongside Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, and they were dubbed the team of the year after the trio won the Championship.
Of course since then Tevez has moved to Manchester United and Mascherano to Liverpool, and both have played extremely well in the Premiership, after initially joining West Ham United a couple of years ago.
It may well be speculation that Newcastle are interested in this defensive midfield player, but we’ll keep reporting on these possibilities, and some of these may actually have solid bids behind them.
We are bound to be falsely linked with many players this summer (what’s new?), but as we report these stories we’ll try to say how truthful they look to be - well as best as we can.
At least we’ll know a lot more about all the players we are linked with during the summer, if nothing else.
Comments welcome.
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115 responses so far ↓
1 THELONGSHANKS // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:25
Neva heard of him?
2 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:27
Lets hope so
3 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:28
I seen him play few times, but he didnt really stand out.
4 robertsa // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:31
mattos is nout compared to gomis
5 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:34
I wouldnt expect a DM like Mattos to stand out. Barry and Butt dont really stand out in a match do they.
6 broon ale // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:35
one more to the list of players not joinining newcastle
7 broon ale // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:35
tom- toon.
i would say barry stands out!
8 Ben_BKK // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:39
If he’s good enough (down to the scouts to decide, I know nothing about him), I’d say get him, Turan, Gomis, and an experienced, but not too old, centre-back, and that would be our team sorted really… Of course we’d need a few more players since we’ve got rid of about 5-6 already and so our small squad is even further depleted, though if we got those 3 in, it would form the basis of a rejuvenated team for us.
9 Ben_BKK // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:40
Barry’s more of a central midfielder, rather than an out and out DM, which is what Butt is really. You often see Barry going up and into more attacking positions.
10 chuck // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:44
A good DM is badly needed to replace an ageing
Butt and Geremi.
Does he fit the requirement ?
11 Leo // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:44
nah toms right you dont want a defencive midfielder to stand out you want them go go unoticed because it means that are doing their job well
12 HeronMag // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:45
Dunno like. David Batty stood out and he was definitely a defensive midfielder.
13 Eric // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:48
Not good enough - cannot be because Portsmouth want him. Must be a heft it up field player.
14 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:49
Well fair play, I would like a defensive midfielder to stand out from makeing great tackles, good solid passes, someone who stands out for being constant and solid, I not saying I am correct, but I dont think this guy offer what we need.
15 Bobby Choung // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:50
can we just get a solid “NEWCASTLE BIDS ON XXX PLAYER”.
so far its been .. newcastle shows interest … newcastle’s target …
la di da
16 Kash2 // Jun 9, 2008 at 16:51
We need at least 4 midfielders, one for DM to give cover, at least one winger type player, at least one playmaker and then a mobile player to replace the jail bird!
17 sirjasontoon // Jun 9, 2008 at 17:01
He sounds shit to me,
Big Names Please Mr Ashley not kids and Peruvian No marks from the San Miguel Lge…
“While at Corinthians, Marcelo established himself in the team and excelled alongside Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano”
I imagine a donkey could be made to look good playing alongside Tevez and Masherano.
18 scottish mag // Jun 9, 2008 at 17:02
mattos had a very good season for pana, and for 4-6m i think would be a very good transfer. he is the sort of player that knows what his job is and then does it, like wot frings was doing yesterday for germany.
19 Kash2 // Jun 9, 2008 at 17:19
Frings was class yesterday. I think he’s a top midfielder!
20 euanpolo // Jun 9, 2008 at 17:45
Yeah, if we could get any DM in the world it should be Frings. He was the best player on the pitch last night.
21 petworth (DC) magpie // Jun 9, 2008 at 17:57
Toon Tom, Barry kinda does stand out now but I get your point. Another reason to keep Milner is I liken him to Barry in many ways I think we could see a massive step up in quality in 4-5 years time.
Off but… I was at Giants stadium last night for the USA Argentina game(amazing atmosphere) great game to watch, had everything but goals. I put my scouting hat on and the player who caught my eye, other than Messi of course ;), was Messi’s half-time replacement José Ernesto Sosa. He played with a lot of skill and had a couple of amazing touches. I know he’s at Bayern but is he considered indispensable there? (Tom? ha)
Wisey? ‘av a look…
22 stelios // Jun 9, 2008 at 17:57
panathinaikos is my greek team.im from cyprus..watched matos play over a dozen ..by far the best player of panathinaikos..
he really stood out in the greek league..class above in DM
hes only 25% owned by panathinaikos..other percentage owned by agent, previous team etc.
23 Kash2 // Jun 9, 2008 at 18:10
The only players who would be in contention for first team football:
Given, Jose Enrique, Martins, Owen, Harper, N’Zogbia, Milner, Beye, Butt, Faye, Taylor, Edgar, Viduka, oh and Geremi (if we really had to play him)
Which is 2 GK, 1 LB, 1RB, 3 CB, 1 RB/ RM/ CM (basically in a position where he doesn’t have to run - Geremi), 1 DM, 1 LM, 1 RM, 3 ST.
It’s obvious we need at least 1 LB, 1 CB, 1 DM, 2 CM, 1 LM/RM/Wing and possibly 1 ST.
With midfielders the priority and bedding in time at minimum, then we shoudl really get on the case!
Depressing!
24 51times // Jun 9, 2008 at 18:14
petworth (DC) magpie - You got to see Messi play in person? I would love to be able to watch him play.
25 Dirk // Jun 9, 2008 at 19:03
kash i disagree, watchin the youngsters we hav i think that carrol lua lua krul forster could easily play first team theyv all shown that they have passion and drive when they play, and krul did play well in his only first team match against palermo as i recall he was outstanding.
26 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 19:05
Petworth - When he isnt injured Sosa starts every game for Bayern he is pretty immense dont think we have a chance in getting him.
27 Nick C // Jun 9, 2008 at 19:28
I want the Swedish dude from yesterday to tell us more about Larrsson coming to the Toon….
28 Nick C // Jun 9, 2008 at 19:31
His name is “Eric”
Eric where are you????
29 toon4lyf // Jun 9, 2008 at 19:41
i think smith deserves another chance he was a good player
we should go for aimar,d’allseendro,zigic or doyle,aurelio,
maybe sum squad players like rat,arango,servet,savage
and get rid of butt geremi milner rozenal
………………….given……………………
beye…..taylor….faye/servet…..enrique/rat
…………………aurelio/savage………………
……….d’alsendro…………..nzogbia………..
…………………….aimar/arango……………….
………..martins/owen……zigic or doyle/smith
30 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 19:45
Savage, ahahahaha, please stop, im dying here.
31 grey man // Jun 9, 2008 at 19:50
Ah you lot give me a headache. Newcastle interested in -?
Looking at -? We should be buying -?
I’m interested in angelina jolie.never gonna happen tho. We are a club in transition with top 6 asperations and no european football next season. Who do you think we are gonna get? Talk sense and get real. We will sign some youngsters or solid workmen and try to build a solid team that might and I mean might get us into europe next season. After that we can hope for some big names. All this is smoke and mirrors.
32 toon4lyf // Jun 9, 2008 at 19:53
tom toon aye that is hilarius isn it a herd that one at a comedy show last night put an average player as a sub for a mid table team
33 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 19:57
I think De Jong would be class, on Fifa he has always been good, and I know that means nothing, be I notice he is starting for Holland today… Worth a punt?
34 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 19:57
Oh, and I have seen him play 5 or 6 times, not just from fifa
35 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 19:58
Yep De Jong is a very good DM as is De Zeeuw who is on their bench.
Dont know why Engelaar is playing DM, he is an AM.
36 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:01
I think he is playing DM for his height?
Also you think De Jong within out range?
37 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:11
1-0 Holland!!!!
38 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:14
Scandolous goal.
39 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:15
Almost as offside as kalou goal against us lol
40 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:16
2-0 brilliant goal this time
41 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:16
great 2nd goal. we will never ever get VDV
42 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:18
GREAT VISION TO PICK OUT VAN BRONKHORST,
43 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:18
Anything can happen with NUFC, cmon VDV!!!!
44 petworth (DC) magpie // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:19
51times I did and he was awesome. He looks a real humble guy. During pre-game, I was standing near the corner flag with a mix of US and Argie fans dressed in paints and flags and he came up within about 20 feet in his warm-ups just to wave to everyone. {i’ll try to post some video}
He was on such a level above everyone else on the field it was incredible. He makes everything look so easy and does it all in the most nonchalant manner possible. Disappointed by Aguero, Cruz and others. Tim Howard was a beast keeping them out and the US almost nicked it. Though for a sec I thought Adu was gonna nick it.
82,000 people in a packed stadium, 100 degrees and raining, we even got lighting. Just an unbelievable experience. If only the US could come up with a better chant! USA, USA, USA is so tired it’s unbearable…
Shame about Sosa, thought I’d found another gem…. I was at RFK (DC) stadium in 2003 when AC Milan played Barcelona, all the big names were there but for me the best player on the pitch was Quaresma, this was before Barca let him join Porto…Wisey if you’re reading this and need a US based scout you know where to find me
45 Punk Skunk // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:19
At last, a real football match!..
…Phew, i was beginning to wonder!..
46 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:19
It was kuyt who headed to sneidjer i think m8, but VDV gr8 ball
47 brad // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:20
get on caught offside on newsnow. the headline linking us with marion. some bloke is slaughtering newcastle on there. by the way gomis looked shite tonight
48 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:28
OMG VDV pass, a beaut, Van Nistelrooy should have finished for 3-0, but its still 2-0
49 Owen_10 // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:30
beauty of a ball from VDV that Van nistelrooy just missed from- anyone see it?
50 Punk Skunk // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:33
Should be all over!..
…Italy are shell-shocked!..
…Holland may rue that miss!..
51 geordiegraham // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:33
i would like 2 see maybe 2 cb as taylor sumtimes doesnt look the part but obviously hes 1 for the future. If he had a better and an experienced defender like Richard Dunne around him or Sol Campbell maybe fair enough. Turan is a player who I would love 2 see sign 4 the toon aswell as Gomis. We need a playmaker last season there wasnt much creativity and i really dont like geremi no pace nd gives the ball away.Dont sell Milner or Given. Zog maybe let him go he comes across as a nob but hes a talented player just up his own arse. I wud sign V. Kompany nd Velosa 2 replace Butt.
52 Mac // Jun 9, 2008 at 20:51
I have seen the fella play a few times and to me he looks good. Not a world beater but better than we have. I magine for a minute if you will,Imagine if we can attract some of the players mentioned. Who here wouldn’t be happy with VDV Aimar,Gomis(even though he looked poo tonight)Larsson,Metzelder,,Tura,Mattos and a few youngsters like Giles Barnes come on dare we believe,or is tight arse ashley gonna sell everyone and turn us into Gateshead
53 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:15
ANYONE ELSE AGREE IT WILL BE HOLLAND AND ROMANIA THAT GO THROUGH, FRANCE AND ITALY LOOK VERY POO
54 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:18
3 PLAYERS I WANT VDV ENGELAAR AND KHALID BOULHAROUZ
55 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:20
pirlo 2-1?
56 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:20
woooooooohhhhhhhhh what a save
57 toonoot // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:21
Get in!
58 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:21
another great goal
59 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:21
3-0 brilliant goal
60 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:21
im defo loving holland
61 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:22
even dirk looks qaulity tonight
62 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:23
3-1 del piero?
63 toonoot // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:24
hard lines Jenas
64 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:27
I think it will be a portugal holland final, the two most impressive
teams so far.
65 Punk Skunk // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:27
Goodnight Vienna, er, i mean Bern!..
66 Punk Skunk // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:28
germany/holland?..
…We ain’t seen spain yet!..
67 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:30
germany v holland final for defo, said it from the begining
68 toonoot // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:30
mmmm …. sausages and advocaat or spaghetti and paella
69 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:32
where is huntelaar? injured?
70 toonoot // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:33
I still wouldn’t bank on Italy going out!
71 Punk Skunk // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:34
This adds a nice twist to the france/italy game does it not?..
72 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:34
Tom_Toon, my qu from earlier, think we could get De Jong?
73 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:38
Yep we could.
Romania and Holland to get through form this group.
Germany won but didnt look too impressive to me, they wil not win, Spain will not get out of their group. Portugal v Hollnd with portugal winning it.
74 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:42
I pit 20 quid on Holland and Romania last week
75 Midjew // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:42
Def NOT Portugal.
Holland v Spain
76 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:44
Portugal and Holland have been easily the most impressive so far. Spain are crap, ho gives a crap what the pundits say, they normally get everything wrong.
Spain wll faulter, nderachieving scummy bull wrestling mugs.
77 Geordie Nick // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:50
portugal got no chance winning it, holland/germany, holland most impressive team BY A MILE so far
78 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:50
Tom_Toon, 10mil euros for De Jong?
79 rob1892 // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:50
holland may have peaked to soon
80 Punk Skunk // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:51
germany are cack, but that never stopped ‘em before!..
81 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:51
moutinho most impressed me again the other night, but i think one of the most impressive has been fritz of germany, was outstanding last nigh. and every player from holland impressed me
82 Geordie Nick // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:53
i agree germany arnt really tht good but they are always there or thereabouts at the end of the day, spain and portugal can never go the distance and this will be no diffrent here
83 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:53
Ye whatever, portugal are going to win it. spain are crap, germany are crap, italy, france all crap.
84 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:54
Do you know anything, Portugal have overachieved if anything in the last few major tournaments! Spain are never anywhere!
85 Ross // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:55
aye but thats only because portugal and holland have won their games, and we’re only the third day into the tournament.
no one can say who has looked most impressive until every team has played, i still think spain will be canny.
86 Punk Skunk // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:56
Greece were crap last time, weren’t they?..
…& Denmark weren’t even in it the time they won it?..Go figure?..
87 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:57
Greece werent crap because they played well at the tournament, they were crap before it.
88 Geordie Nick // Jun 9, 2008 at 21:57
do u know anything, i said portugal can never go the distance and they never hav, u cant argue with facts dick head
89 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:00
Have you looked at Germany’s EURO record, then state what you said as a fact, ‘dick head’.
90 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:03
LOL this pathetic, drop the ‘dick head’ quote, and let everyone have their own opinion.
91 Geordie Nick // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:05
FACT- portugal never go the distance in major tournaments, and yes i have looked at germany’s record, theyve won it 3 times you f**kin idiot!!!!
92 Geordie Nick // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:08
fact- portugal never go the distance in major tournemants, and yes i have looked at germany’s record, theyv won it 3 times, so along with their 3 world cups theyv won 6 major tournemants to portugals 0, so yes germany are always thereabouts and portugal usually arent
93 Tom4Nufc // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:09
There is a first for everything isnt there?
94 ToonKing // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:09
Romania will never make it out of that group, neither will France. Italy and Holland to go through.
Spain are always cack but let’s say what can they do against Hiddink. They’ll make it out but wont win it. Sweden is a nother team to be reckoned with.
Germans are always cack but somehow they always make it far.
I’m with Tom_Toon on this, Portugal - Holland in the final, the only two teams to be up to Euro-standards. Germany and Sweden to drop out in the semis.
95 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:09
Thats like comparing Uruguay in the world cups, 2 worlds cups 80 years ago.
Germany last won the euro 12 year ago, none of the layers then play now.
96 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:11
ToonKing - Goian looked pretty good tonight, what di you think.
Tmas didnt have the best of games though.
97 Geordie Nick // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:13
i didnt say germany wud win it did i, i said they will be thereabouts, and i said tht portugal always fall short which they do, thy mite not be the best footballin team but germany are as effective as anyone at major tournemants, they always do well and nobody can argue with tht
98 tommyy // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:14
I can argue, but i won’t
99 Geordie Gerrard7 // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:15
goian would be very good, is always very good
100 ToonKing // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:15
as i said before i don’t like Goian, good in the air, but prone to howlers on the ground. can’t tackle at all, he had like 3-4 yellow card tackles today.
101 Tom_Toon // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:17
Geordie Nick - They didnt get out of the group in the past 2 euros.
102 Geordie Nick // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:17
how can ppl sit here and say tht it will be portugal or holland because they have been most impressive! some teams aint even played yet ffs and one game means nothing, and if tht was the way it went then holland wud destroy portugal in final as they were far more impressive
103 Geordie Nick // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:18
tom toon- they still hav a better record than portugal tho, we will just hav to wait and see then wont we!!!
104 Punk Skunk // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:20
Yea, Greece played outta their skins & deserved their win!..But, you know what i mean , they are very unfashionable, let’s say(i.e. unexpected)…
…& the danes played brilliant when they won it!..
…portugal can win it for all i care, so long as ronaldo gets a broken neck!..Ha!..
…aragones is scum, pity, i like spain, but i suspect he’s gonna pick the wrong team, we’ll see!..I’d like to see russia kick some butt like!..
…I just hope it’s not the usual suspects!..
105 Punk Skunk // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:24
Anyway, tonight was the 1st proper game as far as i’m concerned!..
106 Geordie Nick // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:27
punk skunk- without a doubt, put £50 on holland to win it last week, just hopin thy haven peeked too early
107 Punk Skunk // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:32
Gan on Nick!..Hope that works out for ya’ bro’!..
…They made italy look ragged, didn’t they?..
…What odds did ya’ get?..
108 Geordie Nick // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:38
got 9/1, but thy down to 5/1 now so glad i got it on b4 todays match
109 Punk Skunk // Jun 9, 2008 at 22:41
That’s a nice return if it comes up man!..
…I wonder what spain/russia are gonna be like?..
…It’s getting interestin’ at last!..
110 Daniel // Jun 9, 2008 at 23:45
Nowt to do with the toon in this post, but my money is on Russia. Fancy them to suprise a few people this tournament and sneak it. Having said that, I fancied the Czech Republic at WC06 and I was 300 quid lighter after the groups…
111 Soren // Jun 10, 2008 at 0:30
Austria will surprise all of you!!!! and win euro 08
112 xfer // Jun 10, 2008 at 5:49
Any one else feels we need a forum here? This is a wonderful site for the Magpie fans, just lacking a forum where we can chill around.
113 Ian // Jun 10, 2008 at 8:53
Not enough goals for us, defensive or not.
114 Obafan // Jun 10, 2008 at 10:46
I’m really looking forward to watch Greece and Russia tonight. They can both go far in this tournament. Come on Guus and Otto
!
115 niko // Jun 11, 2008 at 19:25
mattos is a player for years to come.he has been capped by all non senior brazilian teams and i bet if he signs for newcastle,dunga could give him a chance.ive been watching him play for my team panathinaikos and i need to say he’s one of the best DMs that have ever come to play in greece.i hope he stays here though,he’ll be a perfect duo with my team’s possible transfer,pablo aimar…
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