Geordies bid to bring in Rivaldo
Samba fever is sweeping Tyneside this afternoon as news of Newcastle’s audacious bid to bring Brazilian World Cup star Rivaldo to the FA Barclaycard Premiership spread.
United were saying nothing about their prospective move as it emerged in Spain there has been contact with the 30-year-old striker’s club Barcelona over a potential £10m (€16m) transfer.
But with Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd and deputy Douglas Hall currently on holiday in the city, speculation is rife their club’s interest is more than just a passing dalliance.
Rivaldo is actually due at St James’ Park on Wednesday, August 7 when Barca ride into town for an attractive pre-season friendly, but just what colour shirt he wears that night remains a matter for some debate.
The Brazilian is out of contract next summer and the talk in Spain is that the Catalan giants could be ready to cash in on a man who can leave for free at the end of his current deal.
An unnamed advisor to the player today confirmed there had been contact between the two clubs, and although no offer has yet been made, there is a dialogue.
‘‘Newcastle are interested in Rivaldo but no official offer has been received from Newcastle or any other club for the time being,’’ he told PA International.
‘‘Rivaldo’s intention is to stay at Barcelona and finish his contract, but as an intelligent man, he will look at the possible offers and decide what is best for his future career.
‘‘Rivaldo is with Brazil at the World Cup and is not aware of what’s going on.’’
Any move for such a high-profile star would confirm United’s ambition as they attempt to reel in the Premiership’s big three after challenging Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United for much of last season to deservedly clinch fourth spot.
The chance of Champions League football has presented boss Bobby Robson, who was still involved at Barca when the player arrived as a replacement for Ronaldo in August 1997 in a move from Deportivo la Coruna, with an inflated transfer kitty, and he has already identified the men he wants in a bid to mount a serious challenge next season.
Rivaldo - full name Rivaldo Vitor Borba Ferreira - certainly fits the profile of the top-quality players the 69-year-old wants to attract to St James’ to give his side a genuine chance of competing with the best sides both at home and in Europe.
The Brazilian played in the famous 3-2 Champions League defeat at Newcastle in the September 1997 and was also in the side which gained its revenge in a 1-0 win back at the Nou Camp two months later as both clubs bowed out of the competition after the first group stage.
His lethal left foot and his ability to split defences would prove big attractions for potential purchasers if Barca are prepared to let him go, and Newcastle would be certain to face competition for his signature.
But Robson’s relationship with a player he regards in the highest esteem could prove vital.
United have been linked with almost 50 different players since the end of last season, many of them erroneously, but it appears the latest speculation has some real foundation.
In the meantime, it looks as though Spanish misfit Marcelino’s Newcastle nightmare could be drawing to a close with several clubs, including Real Betis, thought to be ready to offer him a way out in a cut-price deal.