In the round-up of this week’s comments on Newcastle United’s takeover, we now see some quotes coming from South America, where a former Magpies’ player talked about the Saudi purchase.
Brazilian outlet TNT Sports features an interview with Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gavilán, who belonged to the Premier League side between 2000 and 2004.
The 41-year-old pointed out that the fans deserve to see Newcastle fighting for the top of the Premier League, claiming he still roots for his former club.
“I believe that this sale has positive and negative sides for the club,” Gavilán told TNT Sports.
“Regarding the issues involving the off the field, I can’t comment much about it, because nobody knows for sure what it involves. But I know that if the team reaches the financial level of clubs like City, Chelsea and PSG, the fans will certainly have many reasons to celebrate. They are passionate fans and an extremely traditional club in England. They have a giant stadium that gives players a unique feeling.”
“I’m still rooting for Newcastle for the time I spent at the club, and I hope they can strengthen well in the coming seasons so that they reach the highest levels of European football. I believe that clubs that reach a high technical level are always welcome in the sport. In the case of the Premier League, I also find it very attractive, as it will raise the level of a league that is already very high.”
At the age of 19, Gavilán joined Newcastle United in a €3m move from Cerro Porteño. He was only able to make eight appearances for the Magpies in the time he spent at the club.
Later on, the midfielder’s contract with the Magpies was spent with loans at Mexico’s Tecos, Brazil’s Internacional and Italy’s Udinese. He left for good in 2004, in another move to Internacional.
Gavilán played until 2013, when he retired and started his coaching career. He’s currently in charge of Cerro Porteño’s U23 squad.
