The Daily Mail is reporting today that Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is in talks with Barcelona over a £3M deal to sign Brazilian right full back Juliano Belletti.
Belletti, who scored the winning goal in the Champions League Final against Arsenal in 2006, has recently been told he can leave the Spanish giants.
Juliano Belletti – Newcastle in for the Brazilian right-back at £3M?
Although the Mail says the Newcastle boss has yet to be given permission to speak with the versatile 31-year-old, Allardyce is said to be confident the Newcastle offer (which seems generous to us) will be accepted. If this is true Belletti would be an excellent signing for Newcastle since the Brazilian has class and experience and at 31 years old – is not that old for a Sam Allardyce signing.
We do think the fee is a little high for a 31 year-old but we’ll trust Sam has tracked Belletti for some time and knows what he’s doing. Sam certainly has an excellent record of attracting great players for very reasonable fees and we think Belletti would add class to Newcastle’s back line.
There is also talk that Sam may go after Phil Neville, the Everton captain and former Manchester United player. A bid of £4M has been mentioned in the press – but we don’t know if Sam will still do that deal – if he can attract Belletti to the club.
Some playing information on Belletti:
Juliano Haus Belletti (born June, 1976 in Cascavel, Brazil), often known as Belletti, is Brazilian, with an Italian passport, who currently plays for FC Barcelona. His natural position is right back, although he has played as a central defender in the past.
He started his career playing for Cruzeiro in 1993 (52 games 3 goals). In 1995 he moved to São Paulo (214 games 19 goals), where he earned a starting place. In 1999 he played for Atlético (17 games 5 goals). Rumors linked him with a move to La Liga side Valencia CF in 2001, but the move fell apart at the last minute and in 2002 he finally moved to fellow La Liga side Villarreal (59 games 6 goals).
In 2004, he signed for Barcelona (71 games no goals) where he became the first-choice right back and a key player in the squad. Belletti holds an Italian passport, allowing him to bypass the non-EU player restrictions in La Liga. He has been capped 23 times for the Brazilian national team, scoring 2 goals. Belletti was left out of the unsuccessful Brazil squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Let’s know what you think about this potential deal by Newcastle.
Comments welcome.
42 comments so far
Pete
Aug 15, 2007 at 3:10 AM
Comment #1That seems well pricey for a 31 year old, if Ashley is prepared to pay it though it will be a good signing as he can help Taylors development.
I can’t see Everton lettings us buy Neville tho
Aussie geordie
Aug 15, 2007 at 3:19 AM
Comment #2I think a right back is our top priority and hearing the words “natural position” is gold. Get what ever we can for Carr and get rid of him he’s deadwood. I think Faye will be a squad player like the old faye but will be good to keep butt and the backs competing for players so I hope he comes in.
adam
Aug 15, 2007 at 3:27 AM
Comment #3he would be a good signing. if chelsea get dani alves maybe we could try and get ferriera. hes a good rb who can defend.
Tito
Aug 15, 2007 at 3:32 AM
Comment #4Yes i believe in order to achieve immediate goals, we have to get the immediate tools. No point signing “young potential stars” that much, if we want to achieve Europe this season.
We need practically the experience and know-how of our players to get through this building period. Once we get into Europe regularly, then we start to think about the future of the club, blah blah.
Belletti seems a tad expensive for his age. But he does have the big games exprience and being in a big club at Barca, he knows that a player won’t play every single match. He will be a good 1st teamer now, and a great squad player in future.
Adam
Aug 15, 2007 at 4:01 AM
Comment #5Sam has sometimes got players to play ay a high standard to 34, so 3M for a 31 year-old wouldn’t be that bad if he could do so with Belleti………
toon fan
Aug 15, 2007 at 5:02 AM
Comment #6Belleti would be a good signing. Ha can fight for places with the new look Carr. I hope that means strenghtening our defences. However, i dun feel that we need Edmilson. He would have a lot to prove after his long term injury. Besides, his wages would be very high too. And maybe we need to think of some potential midfielders should Solano and Dyer both leave.
Lamesley Mag
Aug 15, 2007 at 5:25 AM
Comment #7I hope the story is true as this guy is a class footballer……, and at 31 years, BSA will extend Beetti’s career for another 3 to 4 years minumum.
Well done Sam, you’re building a formidable squad at Newcastle that will challenge the top-4 in the Premiership very soon. Hopefully this season!
Wes
Aug 15, 2007 at 5:57 AM
Comment #8Juliano Haus Belletti would be a good addition to the squad if that goes through. A good signing indeed!
Gav-Melbourne
Aug 15, 2007 at 5:58 AM
Comment #9as long as belletti can run faster than carr. did anyone saw what anelka did to carr?? even my grandma can run faster than that. wasted to much time & patient on carr. it’s time to move on and buy ourselve a new car – a much faster & better car!! with NO breakdown please….
Len Smith
Aug 15, 2007 at 6:18 AM
Comment #10Interesting to note that if this gaucho shows up Sam will have completely sorted our back line for around 12 million. Which is probably less than Shepherd would have paid for Curtis Davis as a trophy signing and a fraction of what Souness blew. By my math Sam will have broken even overhauling the rest of the team assuming we get 7 for Dyer and 1 for Nobby and blow 2 of that on Faye. Absolutely outstanding. Shows what a scouting network is worth.
Edd Case
Aug 15, 2007 at 7:37 AM
Comment #11I follow Barcelona extremely closely and I can tell you that Belletti is never worth £3million.
He had a very average season last season.
However, he is cracking going forward…
Mind you, we don’t really want or need that, it’s the other part of a right backs’ duty we need help in.
On that point alone, Belletti should not really be considered by BS.
Surely there are better right backs out there that we are interested in?
There must be a Dutch, German, French or even Spanish right back, who is available at the right price, who BS knows about, is tall, pacey and has experience and WANTS to play for the Toon?
I refuse to accept that Belletti is that man – paper waffle as usual for me.
Andreas
Aug 15, 2007 at 7:37 AM
Comment #12Although Belletti is a lot better than Carr I don’t reallt rate him that much. He has a nasty tendence to get caught out of position (just like Carr) and he nullified a vast number of offside traps for Barca last season by not moving up/check where his fellow defenders were and that indeed cost Barca a few goals and points (and yes I watch them play a lot last year so I have seen him in action).
But as said, he is way better than Carr at defending and good at attacking down the flank so all in all it might be an ok buy – hopefully BSA might even be able to swing his wand and make Belletti a really good RB. Guess we just have to see (if we do sign him).
david veitch
Aug 15, 2007 at 7:39 AM
Comment #13Sams a genius, he has spent very little and added top quality players.
I’m not suprised Alex Ferguson is trying to play mind games with Allardyce, he knows what he can achieve at the Toon and believes in 2-3 years will be a major threat to his hold on the premiership.
He is building a team to be feared by the top 4.
AltaBatalJoneN
Aug 15, 2007 at 8:10 AM
Comment #14I´d rather hope we get another right back, but as mentioned above; he´s a better defender than poor Stevie Carr.
AltaBatalJoneN
Aug 15, 2007 at 8:16 AM
Comment #15adam // Aug 15, 2007 at 3:27
he would be a good signing. if chelsea get dani alves maybe we could try and get ferriera. hes a good rb who can defend.
IF/When chelski buy Dani Alves I dont think we should buy Ferreira (hes NOT that good), but rather go for Glen Johnsen. With Belletti and Johnsen we would have covered the position for many years to come.. I really think Glen could be the next England international RB if given games..
What do you think??
k-man
Aug 15, 2007 at 8:24 AM
Comment #16I dont have much faith in this story. First of all the price is way to high for a 31 year old. Secondly a right back should need lotsa pace, which i doubt this guy has (considering his age). I would rather excpect us to sign a younger player.
Furthermore I cant see Nevill beeing courted, since BSA has said there is nothing left in England for him to sign.
jason
Aug 15, 2007 at 8:35 AM
Comment #17I think we should be now spending decent coin on decent players..I read an article just after sam took over and it mentioned he built a decent go cart at bolton out of used parts and trash that done the job..the question was can he build an aston martin out of more expensive components..players like carr,ameobi,babayaro should be scrapped and sold..decreasing the wage bill,making some money and spending the profit.I am reading alot of rumours about this 3m player that one at 2.5 if a team like liverpool had spent pennies in this window like we have there would be an outrage…the moral of my story…speculate to accumulate..not knocking Sam just the board.
Tez
Aug 15, 2007 at 8:43 AM
Comment #18Jason – the difference is we need more than just one or two players unlike liverpool who spent big on 2 players we needed the who team reshaped.
Another point is, not every footballer is totally motivated by money (and to be honest the ones that are – do you really want?) so until we can offer European football (really hope this is next season) we can’t name a player and say he is worth £10mil – get him… cos he might not want to move.
Sam has done amazing – not over spending but starting to form a solid squad which can be added to when we can attract players.
Steve
Aug 15, 2007 at 8:56 AM
Comment #19Convenient however that Barcelona have sent Belletti and Deco home from the Asian training camp citing muscle strains… I believe the Barca statement said they were returning for some “rest and relaxation”… not 100% sure, but fairly confident I read this…
Abdoulaye Faye – PLEASE NO!!! The guy has the dudd gene… Anybody else notice his woeful backpass against us when put under the mildest of pressure?
jason
Aug 15, 2007 at 9:02 AM
Comment #20Like I mentioned earlier players like Faye and Neville are sub standard…Sam’s budget has been a shoestring this season when ashley told John Hall he would make a big investment in the squad,does anyone know the exact financial incomings and out goings in this pre-season to date cheers
michael
Aug 15, 2007 at 9:29 AM
Comment #21Firstly a hole in your story. 71 games and no goals for Barcelona. I’m fairly sure he scored the winner in the CL final against Arsenal.
Secondly 6mill Smith, 6 mill Enrique, Cacapa free. That’s only 12million! (Hardly chicken feed) If you add in 4 mill for P. Neville, 3 mill for Belliti, 2 mill for Yepes (lets hope not) that makes 21 mill with no outlay under Mort.
eastendtoon
Aug 15, 2007 at 9:32 AM
Comment #22i think theres a lotofthings totake into consideration, regarding the board, the clubs position, both on and off the field, and the knock on affect that this has had on the clubs transfers.
people here are questioning the boards decisions, regarding money and the “splashing of cash”, but newcastle really dont have the best history in bringing in the best players when we have splashed the cash… do i need to name names???
lets look at this situations objectively, the club isnt in a great position, yes, we’ve been told by the powers that be that they want to take the club forward, and yes they have brought in seven players that so far have had a positive impact on the team. no they havent spent big, but i really have the feeling that they, including BSare putting in good foundations, a couple of world class 30yr olds to help motivate the team and improve its work ethic is a very good move, especially with where our club has been over the last few years, and lets be honest, young world class players dont want to come to a mid table team that cant offer european football. surely, by BS getting a couple of 30yr olds in that perhaps are in the twilight opf their career, to help us back into europe is a great move… spending 3mil, if the guy is right, but 31, is purely spending to accumulate, and the thinking that the player will helpus back into europe which will lead to more revenue, a better profile for the club and so ultikmately more attractive to a better quality of player.
for once, i feel the clubs in good safe and secure hands, both in terms of the board hands and the managerial hands. this is a great transition for the toon…the future is truely black and white
Tom from Aus
Aug 15, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Comment #23just as long as we get a good right back im happy
Tom
Aug 15, 2007 at 10:10 AM
Comment #24I really hope we don’t get Faye! Looks as though we will now considering he is having his medical and i presume is fit. Belletti…. well i would rather not, someone maybe younger, faster, fitter… in all shorts BETTER.
TOON1
Aug 15, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Comment #25Watch Barca quite regular ,and belleti is a very good rb ,quick aggresive very attack minded but can defend ,i didnt realise he was 31 but i think 3m isnt a bad price ,when this guy has played at the highest level ,and sam can get a good 3-4 years out of him.Would be a good signing,do we think there is any truth in it though ED??
Bosck
Aug 15, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Comment #26michael havent you forgotten about barton for £5.8m?
and i’m a bit confused, are you saying that amount spent is good or bad?
Lew Davies
Aug 15, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Comment #27Hi all, – for me “Edd Case” has it spot on. Beletti is to attack minded for me and we dont need that. We need a class right back that can keep his eye on the ball and get good tackles in when necessary. I’m not sure about neville or faye either. Think if Big Sam does any of these deals, they will be a mistake, so hope its all paper talk and he has a totally different player in mind:D
jeff
Aug 15, 2007 at 10:47 AM
Comment #283 million might sound expensive but so is the rumoured 4 million for neville who according to reports is 30………..But on the other hand they both have vast amount of experience which is whats needed……..Id say get the Barca player..I agree we need a right back as carr’s legs have gone.
Hopefully Dyer & Solano leaving will happen soon we dont need players on big wages who want to be away being at the club longer than needed…..On luque I thought he was starting to show just what he can do and thought he even said he was willing to forget past 2 years and knuckle down which he seemed to be doing now he seems to be away too…again get what we can for him too..
Adrian S/Leone
Aug 15, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Comment #29Belletti to Newcastle would be fantastic as it would bring STEEL AND CONSISTENCY to our back line which would look like this:
Belletti/Carr Rozenhal/Cacapa Taylor/Ramage Enrique/Babayaro
with younsters like Huntington, Edgar standing in as cover in case of a massive injury/suspension flow.
jason
Aug 15, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Comment #30I agree with lew on this there are far better players out there than this rubbish we are linked with..good point as well we don’t need attacking players we are well stocked we need a solid intelligent back 4 that can allow our flair up front to get on with the job of crushing the opposition.
Marguerite
Aug 15, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Comment #31I stand corrected re Belletti – from what I know of him he is extremely good going forward, but susceptible defending and my fear wa leaving our 2 central defenders isolated, especially as Enrquique is an attacking left back.
eastendtoon
Aug 15, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Comment #32all i know is that BS knows what he’s doin, we, alas, are arm chair professionals… so who would i back….
Tom_Toon
Aug 15, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Comment #33Enrique is a defensive left back.
Ive seen Beletti he can defend and put in a good tackle. Hes brilliant for situations like Carr got himself into against Anelka. Beletti is fast and can put a good tackle in, so brilliant for those situations.
Bosck
Aug 15, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Comment #34marguerite – as tom_toon says, enrique is a defensive left back, his nickname is “the bull” due to his physical no nonsense approach to defending. Yes he can get forward well, but his main strength is defending.
Obafan
Aug 15, 2007 at 1:00 PM
Comment #35What a RB that would be. Some of you aren’t that happy with him as a RB, but I think if you compare him with Stephan Carr, what a positive evolution will our RB be. He also showed that he is worth to play in the best team of Europe 2 years ago. And perhaps last year wasn’t his best one, who was on top at Barca; with their squad they should have got at least 1 trophee, but they didn’t have any. Is Beletti the reason for that no trophee year; I don’ t think so. So BS this is what I hope will happen in a couple of days;
1) get Beletti
2) get Yepes
3) sell Ramage
4) find us a quality and creative midfielder like Riquelme and we will have
Obafan
Aug 15, 2007 at 1:00 PM
Comment #36What a RB that would be. Some of you aren’t that happy with him as a RB, but I think if you compare him with Stephan Carr, what a positive evolution will our RB be. He also showed that he is worth to play in the best team of Europe 2 years ago. And perhaps last year wasn’t his best one, who was on top at Barca; with their squad they should have got at least 1 trophee, but they didn’t have any. Is Beletti the reason for that no trophee year; I don’ t think so. So BS this is what I hope will happen in a couple of days;
1) get Beletti
2) get Yepes
3) sell Ramage
4) find us a quality and creative midfielder like Riquelme and we will have a squad which can get into the top 4.
Go the Toon!!
Obafan
Aug 15, 2007 at 1:01 PM
Comment #37Sorry for me double comment, but I typed the wrong button 😉 so my first comment was not complete.
StevieA
Aug 15, 2007 at 3:19 PM
Comment #38How anyone can complain with the improvements to our team is beyond me!
Sub standard? My arse!
All players mentioned would improve our squad. Prima Donna’s are not always the best players to sign you need a good mix of character, youth and experience. Sam is doing a fantastic job, people who think Nevilla, Faye are sub standard obviously don’t know there football very well!
Now Belletti is too old? 31? In this day and age? I don’t think so!
They are all experienced internationals. Not international wannabee’s!
Tesserinio
Aug 15, 2007 at 3:43 PM
Comment #39Well said Stevie, Faye was outstanding against the likes of your big teams chelsea and liverpool and man utd last season. the only reason why he didnt look too good last saturday was because of the joke that is Gerald Cid, boltons new centre back. he was all over the place. Also if you have a look, he got the Boltons team man of the match. He is hard, aggressive an no nonsense, somthing we have never had in our powder puff defence. Also Neville is the CAPTAIN of everton…… and he always gives 110% percent. I would have neville over dyer anyday of the week. for 2 games a season a dyer turns up, and the other 38 he hides. Neville is there to be seen, gets stuck in like smith, and has bags load of european and premiership experience. Our young defenders huntigdon, edgar and ramage are simply not good enough to cut it. At least for another 4 years. We need stability, and Big Super Sammy is brining in quality, experience, and also youth (the bull and barton)
Haway the Toon….never in my days of being a toon fan have a seen such a promising defence. And with the great signings of barton, smith and viduka, to add to martins and milner and ngzobiiiiiiiiiiii we will be flying.
michael
Aug 15, 2007 at 5:04 PM
Comment #40Bosck
Barton was bought under FFS so his transfer has (at least in part been payed for by the old PLC, although whether this contributes to the debt remains to be seen)
My feelings are that the amount spent is less important than the players reputations and whether thay are able to adapt to the premiership. Viduka, Barton and Smith have all showed they have the quality at this level, and none will suffer from second season syndrome (Expect Shorey and Berbatov to suffer this year)