Player Links Elena Marcelino Club Links Newcastle United MARCELINO CLOSE TO DEPORTIVO MOVE by Adam Marshall

EXCLUSIVE OUT-OF-FAVOUR Newcastle defender Marcelino Elena is poised to return to Spain, after allegedly agreeing a contract with Deportivo La Coruna. The Spanish international is certain to quit St James' Park in June, after only one year in The Premiership, as his transfer from Real Mallorca has simply not worked out.

Deportivo remain top of La Liga at the moment, although they can feel the heat of Barcelona and Real Madrid breathing down their neck, but it seems likely that they will be assured of Champions League football next season.

That will be an attractive carrot for Marcelino, who has struggled with a groin injury for much of the campaign. Indeed, he has only featured 13 times for The Magpies in a disappointing season, personally, for the player.

Bobby Robson is looking to have a major clear-out at the club, with a number of names being circulated around other clubs, and Marcelino appears close to sealing a transfer to La Coruna in the near future.

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2000

Answers

This story is also carried on Teamtwaddle - if true, hopefully it's for a decent wedge so as to boost BR's kitty.
I feel really sorry for this guy. In patches he's looked a very accomplished player, but jusn't had been able to get anything going in a way that might have impressed BR.
Teamtwaddle also reckons Goma will be leaving and possibly Domi. They report BR is to be given #15mm plus what he can generate himself. So, if Marcelino, Goma, Domi, Maric and Solano were all to leave BR might just find himself with up to #35mm to spend - getting more interesting?

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2000

Been meaning to ask you, Pete IB - how are you finding life in Thanet after the sun-kissed Caribbean?

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2000

Clarky,

What valuations have you put on the players?

#20m for them seems a bit steep. I hope you're right though.

I'd have gone for something like: Marcellino - #2, Goma - #2m, Domi - #3m, Maric - #1m, Solano #7. - Mainly because every club knows we need to move them so It's a buyer's market. - Hope I'm on the low side with Domi and Solano but It's still interesting at #30m!

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2000

Pilgrim

I reckon we'll get our dosh back.

Marcellino - #4.5 - he's still highly rated in Spain

Goma - #4m - same in France - we got serious money for Dumas

Domi - #4m - he wants to play full back and has starred this year

Maric - #1m -hmm - nobodies seen him coz he's a reserve - they might pay it.

Solano #8 - that's what the papers say - I reckon its high

Thats #21.5M - + #15 NTL = Have some fun Young Bob.

But remember we still have to shift all the reserves on the list as well. Freddie's comment a while back about needing empty hooks in the changing room before we signed anybody else was valid.

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2000

If Goma and Marcelino go, then we'll be woefully short at CB. IMHO, Howey has lost the plot. Dabs goes AWOL, but still wroth keeping. We will no doubt have to apy thru the nose for Helder. That still leaves us potentially looking for another class CB. Unless Hughesie stpes in. Still, I tend to agree with Clarky and Josh (sorry Pilgrim). We will get the asking price for Goma and Marcelino. DOmi I'm less certain about. He hasn't playes LB much this season and that's what he wants to go as.

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2000

Screach,

as far as CB's go I agree and disagree. Howey has produced some very poor defending and has looked embarrassingly out of sorts even next to Marcelino. However, Hughes is maturing, and Caldwell needs to start coming through too, capable lad I'm told. We still have Dabs, Howey, Helder (if he stays)Hughes and that's not counting anyone else coming in.

If these guys are not settling we should look elswhere and use our saleable assets. I think a striker now is a must have....

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2000

What about swapping Goma and Domi for David Trezeguet!? Plus a bit of cash, it looks like he'll be leaving anyway.

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2000

Pilgrim,

I may have been a little bit optimistic, but I reckoned on #5mm for Marcelino, #4mm for both Goma and Domi, and #8mm for Solano. The latter figure is actually the one that looks a little OTT, and there's no guarantee he will go anyway.
I reckon Given might also be on his way at say #3mm, Kets at #0.75mm, Maric at #1mm, and possibly Ferguson for #50k - so that's potentially another #4.8mm to offset my blind optimism on the others. Let's just say BR could have #30-35mm to spend.

WRT the CB situation - like Screacher, I would be very uncomfortable relying on Howey, Dabs and Hughes, and I don't think we will. BR will be buying here also. I don't think he will pay serious money for Helder because he has a very dodgy knee. However, he rates him, and if he can get him cheaply - say nmt #1mm - he will sign him. I believe he'll sign ANO, perhaps that Portugese fella, Miera.

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2000

I keep reading that Helder is still valued at around 3 to 4 million. Also Robson has been linked with quite a few spanish and portugese defenders.

However, what concerns me is the number of midfielders that we keep being linked with. From all accounts the Bosvelt deal looks like it might be done, but as we say, when he's wearing a toon shirt I'll believe. Guardiola link is very strong, and then we are continually linked with other midfielders.

Yes we do strengthening in the midfield, but why aren't we linked with a left winger, when that is an apparent need. And when are Dyer and Gavilan going to get regular games if they have a lot of senior players ahead of them.

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2000