Turning the spotlight on Roberto Rosales
According to reports in the local press, and indeed the agent of the player, Newcastle United are looking at the possibility of signing 23-year-old FC Twente right-back Roberto Rosales.
It's not a name we've been linked with before, and as the attention has been put on names such as Nathaniel Clyne and Mathieu Debuchy, as well as Danny Simpson and his contract wrangle, I think it's only fair to have a look at what the Venezuelan could offer NUFC.
According to said reports, Rosales could be available for as little as £3 million, and at that price and age you would have to think we've at least had a look at him as he fits neatly into the current Newcastle United transfer blueprint.
So what do we know about Rosales then? Apart from the fact he is 23, plays for FC Twente and represents Venezuela, can we gather any more information on him?
Previously he played for his hometown club in Caracas although he only made two appearances before being snapped up Belgian side AA Gent. He spent three seasons in Belgium making 82 appearances and scoring five goals before being picked up by FC Twente. He's now played 84 times for the Enschede club and is the first Venezualan player to score in the Champions League.
He likes to get forward and can combine pace, technique and physical strength whilst retaining the ability to defend all at the same time. This video, albeit a brief one, shows kind of what I mean.
For £3 million I don't think you can go far wrong and it's pretty much a risk free transfer. The transfer fee is fairly reasonable and his wage demands won't be extortionate so I can see why the club are said to be taking a look at him.
On the other hand it just adds to the list of right-backs we've been linked with, and surely we'll see one of them arrive at the club over the summer, regardless of what happens with Danny Simpson. The only two questions now are, which right-back will it be, and which one would you prefer from the ones we've been linked with?
Rosales, Clyne or Debuchy?
