Vasco de Gama offered Newcastle United the chance to sign Brazilian “wonderkid” Marrony in May but the Tyneside club opted against making a bid due to the lack of clarity surrounding the managerial situation at St James’ Park, according to the Daily Star.
The newspaper claims that although Steve Bruce has since been appointed as Rafa Benitez’s successor on Tyneside, the Magpies are still yet to table an offer for the 20-year-old forward, who can play on the wing or up front as a striker.
It is understood that Marrony’s deal at Vasco includes a £31million release clause but the Brazilian club is in financial crisis and are willing to offload the in-demand attacker for just £11million.
The Daily Star adds that Newcastle would have to move quickly if they wanted to sign Marrony because Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Sporting CP and Premier League rivals Watford are also interested in him.
OPINION
Newcastle might have avoided tabling a bid for Marrony because of potential work permit issues. According to South American football expert Tim Vickery on talkSPORT on Wednesday, Marrony might not be able to obtain the necessary paperwork to seal a move to England, so a move to somewhere like Portugal, Italy or Germany might be more likely. Newcastle can still try to sign Marrony and loan him out to a team on the continent where he can work towards earning a work permit. To do that he would have to start making a mark on the international scene and boost his chances of earning a bigger wage at St James’ Park. At £11million, it seems like someone could strike a bargain deal for Marrony based on his massive £31million release clause. However Newcastle do not seem to be the club that would do that. Although Mike Ashley likes to see the club buy players who could have significant resale value, Marrony won’t be able to help the first-team squad out for some time.
