Thursday, January 29, 2009

Newcastle enter race for Veloso

Miguel Veloso
Veloso says he is happy in Lisbon but interested in playing abroad

Newcastle have joined Bolton in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso, BBC Sport understands.

The 22-year-old's agent Paulo Barbosa has claimed Manchester City are also interested in him.

BBC Radio 5 Live's senior football reporter Ian Dennis said: "Sporting are believed to value him at about £12m.

"More developments are expected in the next 24-48 hours. It appears Bolton, who have also made a bid, are still some way short of matching valuation."

Newcastle are desperate for new faces after Michael Owen and Joey Barton both suffered long-term injuries in the loss to Manchester City, to join an already extensive injury list.

606: DEBATE
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But Magpies boss Joe Kinnear claimed he would struggle to make any further additions to his squad, with Magpies owner Mike Ashley suffering at the hands of the global economic downturn.

"Mike has lost £2bn quid in his own businesses and shares. He is just about paying the wages but it is not an easy situation," said Kinnear.

"You look at Tottenham paying £16m here and £14m there. I would love to spend money like that but I can't." Bolton opened talks with the player earlier this month, with manager Gary Megson describing him as a "quality act" who they would certainly try to attract to the Reebok Stadium.

"It's something we are trying to do but whether it comes to fruition is another thing," said Megson.

"He is a quality act. If we can do it we will try to bring him in. We have spoken to Sporting but that is all it is at the moment."

Veloso, who has seven caps for Portugal, has previously expressed an interest in playing abroad.

He certainly is expensive but that is not the issue

Bolton boss Gary Megson
"He (Veloso) is not allowed to talk too much now about this subject but he is looking forward to seeing clubs reaching an agreement," added Barbosa.

"It is important to notice that Bolton are not alone. Manchester City have already shown interest in him.

"What may block the negotiations? Well if the bidders do not offer what Sporting Lisbon are looking at, for example."

Megson confirmed that such funds could be made available if they can find the right target.

"He certainly is expensive but that is not the issue," he added.

"If we can take the right player to (club owner) Eddie Davies there has never been an amount of money that he hasn't given us.

"If it is a player we think will improve us and it is do-able we will try to do it.

"We would like to bring in quality players but if they are not quality players we won't do it for the sake of it."

However, Veloso has made clear his contentment at Sporting and stressed at the weekend that he did not want to leave the club.

"I started at Sporting, it was Sporting that created me and I just have to thank Sporting for everything they have done for me," he told the club's website.

"I am happy at the Alvalade Stadium and I will continue to work to help the team achieve what we want. I am committed."

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