From Teamtalk:

Newcastle and Middlesbrough are both on the trail of Espanyol midfielder Roger Garcia. The North-East rivals each sent a scout to Barcelona a fortnight ago to watch Roger, who is known simply by his first name, score two superb goals in Espanyol's 3-0 win over Racing Santander. Bobby Robson knows all about the 24-year-old playmaker, having given him his senior debut in football while coach at Barcelona. Roger left the Nou Camp for Espanyol in a £2million deal in 1999 and has since been joined at the club by his older brother Oscar - another of Robson's former favourites at Barca. But it was definitely Roger that the Newcastle and Boro representatives were sent to watch, as Oscar is currently injured. With Espanyol deep in financial trouble, Roger is available at a less than prohibitive £3.5million but there is strong competition for his services. West Ham, Parma, Fiorentina and Espanyol's Spanish rivals Deportivo La Coruna are also in the hunt for a player pushing hard for a regular place in Spain's national squad.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

Answers

Anybody know anything about this lad? Looks like a decent price but another spanish player?

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

This guy is playing in arguably the highest profile league in Europe right now. If he really is available for £3.5million it is extremely doubtful he's all that good.
For £3.5 million you get a Bassedas; is that what we really need?

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

It's another one of Swifts wind ups. He goes to these Spanish games with a notepad and a mobile phone and stands near the press box. mid way through the game he phones a ficticious football manager and pretends to be reporting back to base on said player. One of the journalists thinks Swift is a NUFC scout and prints a story that gets copied by British press.

This is the third one he's linked us to since he arrived in Barthelona.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

Why not just swap him for Farcelino?

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

I think that'll be the opening line on ANY transfer discussion this close-season. Couldn't we employ a Tele-sales person to try and flog Marcie to anyone who is prepared to pay some money.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

Now, actually that's not a bad idea at all - anything is better than useless waster!

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

Hey DeB......is there any Tele-sales person THAT good?!?

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

Not that I've met, the conversation would probably go something like,

"Hello this is Newcastle United Football Club, we've got a plyer we thought you might be interest...................bbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrr"

As Barnet hang up!

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2001