Toon eyeing £11m Italian defender
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Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce is reportedly hoping to bolster the Magpies' defence by moving for Italian defender Andrea Barzagli.
Barzagli, who currently plays for Serie A side Palermo, is highly regarded in his homeland, and is apparently thought of by Italy's World Cup winning skipper Fabio Cannavaro as the 'next great Italian defender'.
The Newcastle Evening Chronicle reports that Allardyce could be set to tempt Palermo with a bid, although the Italian side are thought to want as much as £11million for the centre-half.
Barzagli is one of the most sought-after talents in Serie A, with both Fiorientina and Juventus keen to sign the player.
However, the defender is adament that he will not join Fiorientina, and claims that although he is happy at Palermo, he could still move on.
"I can say that barring any shock developments, I will stay at Palermo," Barzagli said over the weekend.
"Having said that, with at least another 10 years of my career left, I need to look at all aspects, including the economic one.
"In the past, only Juventus were truly interested in me, but the coach preferred to look towards other options."
Palermo sporting director Rino Foschi said last week that the defender wants out of the Sicilian club, and hinted that they would be willing to sell: "Andrea Barzagli seems willing to leave Palermo.
"After all, it's better to have someone in your squad who is dedicated rather than with his mind focused on other things.
"He's been on the transfer market for a while now. However, it's his decision to leave the club.
"There are players who join Palermo and shine, and afterwards when they get a spot among the Azzurri, they want to plump for a stint in a bigger club.
"Barzagli is one of such players." -
i hope he joins.
newcastle badly needed a good defender. -
Newcastle should have hired Capello!
Anyway Italians seldom move abroad. Especially when they don't have much company at the club.
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shepherd is pro-british.Originally posted by stellazio:Newcastle should have hired Capello!
Anyway Italians seldom move abroad. Especially when they don't have much company at the club.
thats why the club is going nowhere.