Newcastle United were last night on the verge of signing the Brazilian World Cup winner Kleberson from under the noses of Leeds United. They then intend to rub salt into the wound by making a £10 million offer for Jonathan Woodgate that Leeds may find very difficult to turn down.
Newcastle's club chairman Freddy Shepherd was in Brazil last night and in an advanced state of negotiation with the Atletico Paranense player.
Newcastle are aware of Leeds's interest in the player and are keen to complete the deal before they enter discussions over Woodgate. The rationale is that Leeds, without having done a deal for Woodgate, will not have the cash to mount an effective bid for Kleberson, thereby giving Newcastle a free run at the midfielder.
Bobby Robson confirmed yesterday that Newcastle were intending to sign both players: "We have made communications with the clubs in respect of the two players concerned." Leeds continued to insist they have received no Newcastle bid for Woodgate and Robson did not say that Newcastle had made a concrete offer yet.
It is likely that Newcastle will have Kleberson (23) for next Wednesday's Premiership game with Tottenham at White Hart Lane, a game Tottenham wanted to move to this Saturday. Robson refused the request.
Robson has a surfeit of midfielders but explained his decision to bid for another one. "Kleberson is a very talented player, of world repute, who has become available on the market. I know that we have Dyer, Jenas, Speed, Viana but when a player of that calibre comes on the market you have to be interested."
Nolberto Solano's name was not mentioned by Robson and it would appear that his place is in most danger. As Kleberson's English representative Simon Clifford said from the US last night: "At Newcastle Dyer and Jenas are not players who enjoy playing on the right side but that's Kleberson's favourite position. He is a tough character and he'll fit straight in.
"The fact that a manager like Bobby Robson is in for him is a great honour because Robson has worked with the best players in the world, including Brazilians. Kleberson knows all about him from talking to Ronaldo."
Clifford added that Robson's global stature contrasted with Kleberson's opinion of Leeds. "Leeds could have got him for a lot less than the £5 million publicised," Clifford said.
This will not please Leeds United supporters, who have had 12 months of misery that show no sign of abating. Distraught at the prospect of another of their "crown jewels" being sold, they lit up the Elland Road switchboard last night.
They may be encouraged to hear that Robson is not yet confident of completing the Woodgate deal."The news has got out and I don't think that is to our advantage."
Robson could be right although, as he also said of the transfer market: "The clubs who have the money have the power." This is something that Newcastle, in contrast to almost every other club in the Premiership, seem to have in abundance.
At least Leeds appeared to be closer to negotiating a fee with Middlesbrough for Seth Johnson, who spent the day on Teesside with his agent. The compromise figure may be £3.5 million.
If Newcastle were to get Woodgate, 23 today, for £10 million and Kleberson for £3 million then Robson's spending in the last 19 months would total £47 million and would indicate a serious title challenge this season.
"We don't want to always finish fourth, do we?" Robson said. "And I don't have too long to win it. My sole ambition here is to make the club progressively better. That will not be done through miracles, that will be done through investment."
