Newcastle have recently completed their first signings of the summer, completing moves for Danny Guthrie and Jonas Gutierrez. Newcastle-Online continues to scour the globe for talent however, and the latest edition of buying From Our Rivals looks at players who participated at Euro 2008.

Over the last few weeks, Newcastle have been linked with a £6 million move for Swiss striker Eren Derdiyok. The twenty year-old was the youngest player in Euro 2008, and is highly regarded in his homeland. A technically gifted target man, Derdiyok has been used sparingly by both club and country, yet has an excellent goal scoring ratio of one goal every 194 minutes for FC Basel. The player, of Turkish origin would provide excellent cover and competition for Mark Viduka over the next couple of seasons, and with added experience, he could become an excellent player for Newcastle United and Switzerland.

The Toon have also been linked with Swiss midfielder Gokhan Inler. The Udinese player, like Derdiyok is of Turkish origin, and possesses the combative attributes that typify the Turkish national side. In addition to being the top Swiss performer at the Euros, Inler was one of the best foreign players in Serie A last season, and with a rumoured release clause of £5m, the twenty-four year old could make an excellent acquisition for a Newcastle side looking for a little extra backbone in midfield.

Turkish attacking midfielder Arda Turan was one of the better players in a Turkey side that reached the semi-finals. The twenty-one year old impressed with his confidence, direct running, his technique, and his work rate. Turan was linked with a Newcastle move before Euro 2008, and some Toon fans will be disappointed that business was not tied up before the commencement of the tournament, as it would seem that he is attracting the attentions of more desirable suitors. These suitors have yet to make their move however, and it remains possible that Newcastle could find themselves back in the running to sign the Galatasaray star as we near the closure of the transfer window.

Turan’s team mate for club and country, Sabri Sarıoğlu could also be an option on the right wing if Keegan intends to play Jonas Gutierrez on the left. The twenty-three year old impressed for Turkey, and would also provide good cover for Habib Beye at right back.

Apart from the inability to produce a half decent striker, Portugal is a real hotbed of talent right now, and as such, their 23-man squad was brimming with talent, especially in midfield. Joao Moutinho is one of the most talented creative midfielders in Europe right now, and showed us glimpses of this talent this summer. The probability however is that should he move this summer, it will be to a more desirable club. His Sporting team mate Miguel Veloso provides the defensive cover in midfield that gives greater freedom to more creative players, and would perhaps be the more realistic of the two. Should both be out of reach, defensive midfielder Petit could be a decent short term alternative.

Finalists Germany were very fortunate to reach the final, but there are a couple of players whom could make interesting signings for Newcastle. Although we had been linked with Mario Gomez, the Stuttgart striker’s lack of confidence would make him a risky signing. Pundit Alan Hansen criticised the German’s for a lack of mobility in defence, but with a mobile partner, Christoph Metzelder would be an immense signing who could bring our defence to the next level. Struggling to get a game for Real Madrid, the offer of first team football in the Premiership could be rather alluring.

Since leaving Aston Villa, Thomas Hitzlsperger has grown into a top quality player. A tidy player with a decent shot, the German would return to the Premiership a better player than he was when he left, and he wasn’t too shabby before.

Few in England were surprised to see Croatia to do so well at Euro 2008. While Modric and manager Slaven Bilic stole the limelight, there were numerous other individuals who played an important part in Croatia’s progress to the quarters. Right-sided midfielder Darijo Srna offers a good footballing brain, technically efficient play, and being able to cover at right back, he isn’t scared of his defensive duties.

The left-sided partnership of Ivan Rakitic and Danijel Pranjic also impressed and both players could have something to offer Newcastle United, in particular Pranjic who offers an attacking threat from left back and who can also play on the left wing. The three aforementioned Croats play for Shakhtar, Schalke and Heerenveen respectively and as such all three players would perceive a move to Newcastle as a step up.

A more experienced alternative to Pranjic would be Dutchman Giovanni van Brockhorst. Despite his age, the former Rangers, Barcelona and Arsenal player performed admirably for Holland in the Group of Death, and can take a good set piece. Jose Enrique could learn a lot from him over a couple of seasons, and you’d expect both players to get a decent share of first team opportunities.

Up front, Klass-Jan Huntelaar would cost a lot, but at twenty-four years old, he should be looking to depart the Eredivisie, and a move to Newcastle would be ideal for both parties. Huntelaar would provide the Toon Army with a more reliable target man option than Mark Viduka, while Newcastle would give the Dutchman the opportunity to showcase his talents in a much better league.

French striker Nicholas Anelka has already been suggested in Buying From Our Rivals: The Premier League. A younger alternative could be 22-year old St. Etienne forward Bafetimbi Gomis, whom has previously been linked with a move to St. James’ Park. Gomis is one of the emerging stars of French football, and possesses the pace and power that typified a young Didier Drogba. Euro 2008 probably came too soon for the youngster, but he has the potential to become a very good player.

Although they failed to win a game, Romania put in creditable performances against France, Italy and Holland. Perhaps with a little more cutting edge, Romania could have reached the quarters at the least. As such, the Romanians impressed defensively, in particular left back Razvan Rat, whom was supposedly offered to Newcastle a couple of seasons ago, but Glenn Roeder chose not to have him. Rat could provide the left back cover we need at a reasonable price. Dorin Goian has also been linked with a move to the Premier League, but he isn’t better than what the club already has, and at twenty-seven years old, he isn’t going to be a worthwhile investment.

Swede midfielder Sebastian Larsson has been linked with a move to St. James’ Park. The Birmingham player would make a worthwhile signing, being similar to Geremi in terms of the tidy play and versatility he’d bring to any squad, but he’d also offer fresher legs and a more reliable set piece.

Only one of Russia’s 23-man squad plays outside of Russia – FC Nuremberg’s Ivan Saenko. The best Russian teams are all owned by various Abramovich-type figures, and as such, it is probably going to cost more than it is worth to sign one of Russia’s better players. Andrei Arshavin has already been valued at twice his worth, and is holding out for a transfer to Barcelona. A compromise may be found before August 31st, but he won’t be going to Newcastle United. If they become available at a decent price, goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev has the potential to become one of the world’s legendary goalkeepers, while Yuri Zhirkov would make a good left sided acquisition. Both players can only be considered as long shots however.

Champions Spain had a squad bursting with quality, and to be honest, most players are out of Newcastle’s league. Dani Guiza may have been an interesting proposition had he not signed for Fenerbache. However, if Newcastle really wanted to pull out all the stops, perhaps they should look at David Villa. Valencia have been struggling in La Liga, not only in terms of performances, but in terms of finances too. Villa has already been linked with Spurs, so perhaps there is a small chance. Undeniably over-ambitious, but if you do not try to sign quality players, you won’t get any.

Of these twenty-one players, the five players considered most realistic and desirable should be:

Sebastian Larsson
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Eren Derdiyok
Danijel Pranjic
Arda Turan

These five players would complement and ignite the Newcastle team, a prerequisite for all new signings according to recent interviews with Kevin Keegan. Only time will tell us the club’s real targets however.

Who at Euro 2008 caught your eye? What are your opinions on the players mentioned? Have Your Say