Is this a wind up? And is it a good price? Roma to offer Batistuta for £20M Newcastle ace Bellamy

English football 28/3/02

AS Roma are eyeing exciting Newcastle United striker Crag Bellamy. The Italians are preparing to test Newcastle's resolve by offering a massive £20 million for the Wales international.

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson only signed Bellamy last summer from Coventry for £6 million and is unlikely to be persuaded to let go the quick-fire forward.

Roma hope to tempt Geordies chiefs by offering players in part-exchange. Gabriel Batistuta and Marco Delvecchio have been mentioned as possible 'make-weights' in the deal.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

Answers

A Price we couldn't refuse? (Always assuming it isn't total bo..ox, which it is)

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

£20M? After his performances in the Champions League next season, he'll be worth twice that ;-) As for Batistuta - no way.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

I saw that story in the Sun. You can tell that it's bullshit (hopefully) by the lack of quotes in the article.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

The article I read implied that it was a straight swap for the 2 roma players with no cash involved...

Absolute bullshit imho...

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

Well it's great to know he's thought to be worth that much. What I find reassuring is that this would presumably be a decision to be taken by The Good Shepherd and not some City "suits". On that basis, I suspect we're more than likely to resist any such offer although every player has his price.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

If its true, then I think we should sell him, bring in choprah to partner Shearer and use the 20 million to strengthen the defence nd possibly midfield.

If It's not true, we could really do without stories like this. We want to keep Bellamy. We all know how big his ego is and once he hears of stories like this he's bound to want to go to a "bigger" club.

Batistuta is a top clas player. To be compared with him alone shold be enough to flatter any player. But Delvechio as well!

Has to be bollocks.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

it would be an interesting deal if only to see Gabi and Marco fending off women students of an evening.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

So where is this story? I can't find it

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

Try here

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

Chuck in Totti and we'll think about it......

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

Batistuta is well passed his sell by date, but Delvecchio would be alright. Perhaps if it was someone along the lines of we sell bellers, buy Delvecchio and go and get Nedved or Thuram.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

Doh!!! That should have read something along the lines of....

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

?!?!?!?!

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

Mick are you still with us? has someone disconnected your keyboard? shall we call the police?

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

This "story" slipped out four days too early. Premature e-speculation.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002

Batistuta is past it: Delvecchio has scored the grand total on one goal this season, and is a cheating, diving get. Forget it.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2002