Newcastle star pleads with board to allow £7million move to Olympiakos
Published 19:54 10/08/09 By By Simon Bird
Jonas Gutierrez wants to seal a £7million switch to Olympiakos this week and has pleaded with the Geordies to let him quit Tyneside.
The Argentine star reckons playing for Newcastle will wreck his chances of getting into his nation’s World Cup squad.
Olympiakos can offer Champions League football and Newcastle are keen to offload their highest earners and raise cash to balance their £40 million overdraft ahead of a possible sale of the club.
Winger Gutierrez has failed to score for Newcastle since joining from Real Majorca last summer with his transfer fee causing a major court dispute between the two clubs.
Gutierrez said: “I want to leave Newcastle and go to a club which will give me the chance to fight for this place in my national team.
“I believe if I play well in the Champions League then Maradona is going to take a look at me.
“My agent told me that he received a call from Olympiakos’ people, who asked him if I wanted to play for them.
“I told my agent that I wouldn’t say no to Olympiakos if they are going to make a good offer to me.
“Of course, everything depends on Newcastle. I have four more years on my contract and Olympiakos must agree with them first of all.
“My agent told me that the upcoming week is going to be crucial. He is expecting a new contact with Olympiakos. They are a huge club. They are the Boca Juniors or the River Plate of Greece.
“For me is a big challenge to play the Champions League. I have a lot of energy in me and I want to make a fantastic season in order to be with my national team in South Africa for the World Cup.”.
