Nikola Zigic: 6 ft 8 Striker Available on Loan: A Good Move for Spurs, Everton, Man City, Blackburn, Aston Villa & Stoke?
Valencia have announced they are ready to allow their 6 ft 8 Serbian striker Nikola Zigic to leave the club on loan this summer with a number of English clubs showing an interest.
The likes of Blackburn, Stoke and Aston Villa have all been linked to the Serb man mountain but news of his availability may prompt moves from the likes of Tottenham, Man City and Everton who all need to bring in reinforcements but may not want to make a big money gamble. If a proven international striker like Zigic can be brought in for a mere loan fee and wages then surely it would be good business.
Valencia vice president Fernando Gomez declared to the Levante newspaper, “I expect a decision in a few days.”
“We offer the chance to go on loan to any of the interested English clubs.”
Stoke were reportedly leading the chase for the striker after he rejected a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray. However, the cost of the deal forced Tony Pulis to withdraw from negotiations though a loan deal could reignite his interest. Aston Villa may also fancy bringing in the striker to act as direct cover for their main target man John Carew whilst Paul Ince may be covering his options with Benni McCarthy linked to Sunderland and Roque Santa Cruz linked to all the big guns.
The player is of a similar mould to Portsmouth’s Peter Crouch but if anything if less lightweight. The 27-year-old has endured a torrid time since joining Valencia for a reported 15m Euros in August 2007. However, after scoring just once in 15 League games (12 starts) it would seem the club are happy to cut their losses on the forward. Zigic’s only League goal for the club came in a 2-2 at Real Zaragoza in December.
It was reported that Portsmouth made a bid for the Serb in January to join the club on loan which the player himself promptly rejected. The Fratton Park club’s interest in the player has surely ended following Crouch’s arrival though various other clubs will be seriously looking at the player.
Zigic came to the attention of top European clubs when at Red Star Belgrade where he scored an impressive 46 goals in 79 League appearances which prompted interest from Arsenal, Portsmouth, Blackburn and West Ham. However, the player finally moved to Spanish club Racing Santander where he formed an excellent partnership with former Real Madrid star Pedro Munitis. He scored 11 goals in 32 League appearances in his only season at the club before Valencia swooped.
The Serbian man mountain has won 29 caps for his country (11 goals) and has won his country’s player of the year award on three separate occasions. He is a powerful forward who is strong aerially and possesses an excellent shot. His size and physique make him a potential Premier League star in the making.
If he were to join Stoke, he’d be a major coup for the club and their collection of man mountain centre-forwards alongside Mamady Sidibe (6 ft 4), Ricardo Fuller (6 ft 3), Vincent Pericard (6 ft 1), Jon Parkin (6 ft 4) and new boy Dave Kitson (6 ft 3). The Potters should be a particularly strong threat aerially this season and Zigic would only improve that threat.
Tottenham need to bring in more forwards with Dimitar Berbatov likely to depart with days left till the transfer window ends, Zigic is a realistic possibility. Man City also need reinforcements with their injury list whilst Everton need cover for their main man Yakubu with only youngsters as back up.
So would you like your club to sign the giant Serb or would you prefer another potential target? Let’s hear your views.
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Tags: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bolton, Everton, Man City, Newcastle, Nikola Zigic, Portsmouth, Serbia, Tottenham, West Ham
August 21st, 2008 at 13:14
I would have him as a squad player, we definitely need more strength in our side and he looks a big boy and also decent finisher. Get Bentley and Bale crossing and we can’t go wrong!