We’ve resisted reviewing the transfer of Maceo Rigters to Newcastle until now – because we’re not sure why we would need another striker. However, Rigters may be a good buy for Newcastle. This is the player who scored in the 89th minute for Holland against England in the classic Under-21 semi-final last night. Let’s see why this player may make some sense for Newcastle.
Maceo Rigters
Newcastle and Celtic are both interested in NAC Breda and Dutch Under-21 International Maceo Rigters. Rigters has impressed during Holland’s run to the finals of the European Under 21 Championship – and a number of clubs are said to be monitoring his progress.
The 23-year-old has scored three goals so far in the tournament and has been one of Holland’s top performers. Scouts from both Newcastle and Celtic have been watching all of Holland’s games and the transfer fee is said to be a low $350K. In fact Celtic were very close to signing the striker before Newcastle expressed an interest and they’re probably not too happy that Newcastle are now involved.
The striker is considering his future at NAC Breda after growing increasingly frustrated at his role at the club and that news has alerted both Celtic and Newcastle. Last season Rigters appeared 38 times for NAC Breda but scored only 4 goals – so he cannot be called a prolific goalscorer. But that’s why he is unhappy with his role at Breda – because he’s not being used as an out and out striker.  Maceo started his career ar SC Heerenven and then moved to FC Dordrecht before finally moving to NAC Breda in 2005.
After struggling for goals at NAC last season, Rigters admits he was surprised to have started for Holland at the European Under-21 tournament. Rigters expressed his frustration at his situation with NAC and is hoping for the chance to play in his preferred position. He recently spoke of his situation at Breda:
“I have never felt much appreciation at NAC Breda in the last two seasons,”.
“I always feel that I am a centre-forward. At NAC Breda I have played just two matches in this position.
“I always had to train and play on the wings. In the front of the attack I have never got a good chance.”
“I was surprised to start in the first XI (Dutch Under-21). Â It is fantastic to play in this tournament.”
Rigters’ agent Ton Smit confirmed the two clubs were after the striker and that a decision on his future would be made at the end of the tournament.
Smit told Sky Sports:
“There has been a lot of interest in Maceo,”
“Celtic are seriously interested and Newcastle are also looking at him.
“We have had no official offers for him, but I believe both clubs will watch him play against England.
“Maceo would be keen on a move to Britain and play at a higher level.”
With the news leaking today that not only Michael Owen – but also Oba Martins has a buy-out clause in his contract at Newcastle ($13M) – maybe that’s why Sam Allardyce is still tracking strikers. Certainly if the value of a player is taken into account Maceo would be an excellent signing for us – at $350K.
Comments welcome.
9 comments so far
Andy B
Jun 21, 2007 at 9:33 AM
Comment #1whilst I am sure Maceo would be a great addition to the squad, and would probably be a lot more mobile than Shola, I am still really worried that we have released 4 defenders and yet don’t seem any closer to replacing them – hopefully Sam can pull out a few quick additions in time for pre season training (unless he intends to play Viduka as a centre half..)
nufcstats.com
Jun 21, 2007 at 9:33 AM
Comment #2yeah he has got a potential and can be a good signing but the one to watch for in that Holland side is Royston Drenthe who can play as left back or left side of the midfield. He has so quick feet and great technique but useful technique, not like the most from Spain, Portugal or South America – many times useless in Premiership (Viana, Luque etc.) because it is too fast for them. Drenthe is much more suited for Premiership. I like players from his country. You can see his ability even with two penalities shots yesterday. So fast, explosive and powerful. But I’m afraid he is not for us…
daniel
Jun 21, 2007 at 9:39 AM
Comment #3the buy out clause in martins contract doesn’t bother me as if he did go we would make a profit plus i dont think many teams would be willing to p ay 13 million for him
Greg P
Jun 21, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Comment #4Drenthe looks a solid player, but as with Ben Haim and Sidwell it looks like Chelsea may beat us to the signature.
I was also impressed by the Belgian LB in the little I saw of their games, as he kept the lid on the new Portuguese guy at Man U (Nani?)
Ed Harrison
Jun 21, 2007 at 1:17 PM
Comment #5Greg P – yes it looks like Drenthe is headed to Chelsea – for 4M – seems cheap – somehow other clubs have to start competing for these players – other than the top 4. Pity we couldn’t have at least tried to get him. He may not get a game at Chelsea.
Ed Harrison
Jun 21, 2007 at 1:18 PM
Comment #6daniel – the problem with Martins is starting to be his private life. I’m sure Sam is a bit concerned about it – and Oba probably needs to stay away from Nigeria for a while – how he gets to play for Nigeria now – after what happened on Monday night – I have no idea.
nightfall
Jun 21, 2007 at 2:11 PM
Comment #7greg p – we could sign sidwell, ben haim and drenthe next year…mourinho bought them ‘cos next year is ANC…and he won’t be able to count on essien, obi mikel, kalou, …
Jam
Jun 23, 2007 at 12:35 AM
Comment #8All this talk about getting defenders in…i have no doubt that SA willdo the busineess and get them in, look at man Utd, they signed nani and anderson and no one really knew until the day it happened. This rosenhal deal has gone on for ages and all this media attention just doesn’t help. Hopefully the signings that are going to be made are the ones we may not here much about until they’re a done deal. It just epitimises how poorly newc fair in the transfer windows. On top of that, out main concern is actually keeping players!!! Martins and Owen are two players we already have!!!!! we really need to hang on to them!!!
cmon the hoops
Jun 24, 2007 at 12:39 AM
Comment #9why would celtic not be happy that nufc expressed a intrest in maceo after all we are amuch bigger club with alarger fan base and a bigger commercial income .granted the spl is not the best but pound for pound celtic are better than a lot of premership clubs..and im not bothered by nufc intrest and i dont think celtic are either he is coming to celtic and maybe in afew tears move to a bigger club than newcastle in england