Numerous Premier League clubs, including Newcastle, Manchester City and Bolton, are said to be lining up a move for Sporting Lisbon star Miguel Veloso, according to BBC Sport.
Bolton had launched a bid for the Portuguese international but it is now believed that the club have failed in thier bid after manager Gary Megson publicly told press it was over.
“It’s now dead in the water and won’t happen,” said Megson.
“We tried to bring what we thought was a top-class player to the club but we can’t do it. To use an analogy, if you like a car but you can’t afford it then you have to look at something cheaper.”
Newcastle are desperate to land a new midfielder before the window closes especially after an injury to Joey Barton ruled out the mdfielder for at least two months.
However, Newcastle may encounter problems with Sporting’s asking price especially after it seems that Bolton pulled out due to the Portuguese club’s valuation.
Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear told press: “Life is seriously tough. The credit crunch is killing us. (Owner) Mike has lost £2bn quid in his own businesses and shares. He is just about paying the wages but it is not an easy situation.
“You look at Tottenham paying £16m here and £14m there. I would love to spend money like that but I can’t. You can see why so many people bottled this job.”
It seems set that the only club that will be able to reach Sporting’s valuation would be the likes of Manchester City and Veloso’s agent Paulo Barbosa has told press that City are interested in his client.
“He (Veloso) is not allowed to talk too much now about this subject but he is looking forward to seeing clubs reaching an agreement,” added Barbosa.
“It is important to notice that Bolton are not alone. Manchester City have already shown interest in him. What may block the negotiations? Well if the bidders do not offer what Sporting Lisbon are looking at, for example.”
22-year-old Veloso has been with Sporting Lisbon since he joined the club as a youth player in 2000 and has gone to impress at both the European under-21 Championships in 2007 where he captained Portugal and at Euro 2008.
Source: BBC Sport
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