Get ready kids, for the return of Juninho! According to reports here we've bought him from Vasco De Gama where he has been a sensation since leaving Boro. He's still a Madrid player, so we are buying him off them, for 5million. Also it hints heavily that Kiko is joing him. Class deal imho.
gracias señor taxista

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Answers

athletico player

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

We should have a Swifty's signing section....you've had us linked with so many players in the last couple of days it's scary! :))

So that's Kiko, Zenden, Dani, Juninho and I think you mentioned Enrique on a free as well.....

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

How else are we to be the Barcelona of the north ?

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

This is from Planetfootball.com. Seems like Newcastle are being used to link with any player who wants a move or is not wanted by their club. Shepherd has been in Spain and they go mad for every available player!

NEWCASTLE UNITED have emerged as surprise contenders to Vasco da Gama for the signature of Brazilian playmaker Juninho Paulista, who is still contracted to Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish side had claimed they would want the diminutive midfielder back if they were promoted to the Primera Liga, but having missed out on promotion by goal difference, there is a queue of clubs lining up to secure the services of the player.

Juninho will, of course, be well remembered in the North East for his contrasting spells with Middlesbrough - the first an exciting mixture of Samba flair and English hard work, the second, on the whole, a disappointing affair.

However, Magpies manager Bobby Robson knows his side lost much of its creative guile when Kieron Dyer was sidelined through his serious shin injury.

Robson has been linked with numerous players in Spain, although it is unlikely Athletic Bilbao's Ismael Urzaiz would make the trip to the North East, Kiko's move to The Premiership would appear more credible.

Vasco have had the services of Juninho for a year, having joined on loan from Atletico with a view to a permanent deal, although whether the financial crisis pervading through Brazilian football at the moment will allow them to complete the transfer remains unknown.

According to reports in Spain, Atletico will allow Newcastle to talk to Juninho to discuss terms before negotiating a fee around 1,500- 2,000 million pesetas (£5.47-7.29 million).

Along with Vasco, Olympiakos have added their name to the mix, with Atletico stating an offer from the Greek side had been received.

It would appear there is a certain element of name-dropping in order to increase the player's fee, but it is undeniable that Juninho would strengthen a Newcastle squad devoid of quality in depth.

On the other hand, Juninho could see out the remaining year on his contract and move on a Bosman free, although one thing that is certain is that the Brazilian does not enter the plans of Atletico's new coach, Luis Aragones.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

I'm a journalist for whatever site deb took took that from!

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

the info i have is that kiko and juninho are more than just rumours deb, kiko has stated he doesn't suit the red and white anymore...shaping up nicely

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Where the feck would Juninho play? We have enough problems trying to fit Keiron Dyer into the right position without signing another loose cannon like Juninho.

As a Striker?

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Interesting. I recently read an old Total Football (last Dec or Jan issue??) which had an interview with Juninho. Said he was happy being back in Brazil as it made it easier for him to get noticed and picked for the national team. Could that be a factor in him moving back to the Northeast? Either he may not get chosen for national team duty as often, or Bobby has another South American on the books who will be travelling half way around the world throughout the season.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

he's been causing problems as a support striker, depth deb, depth, we need more than one player who can turn a game. Juninho, Kiko, Dyer, Nobby and Zenden is a tricky group of players. Shove Shearer in there and you have an exciting proposition...

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001