Latest news with #Vampeta
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Mikey Johnston suffers Flamengo anguish as raging fans revolt after Robbie Keane makes transfer appeal on Brazilian TV
The former Celtic star appeared destined for a money-spinning £5m transfer to Brazil but the deal appears to be on the brink Gutted Mikey Johnston appears set to miss out on a transfer to Flamengo as furious fans reportedly revolted against a £5million move for the former Celtic man. Multiple outlets in Brazil claim local supporters are dead against the move and Republic of Ireland legend Robbie Keane was drafted into firefight as he raved about Johnston during a surprising appearance on Brazilian sports TV. Johnston appeared primed to move 12 months on from sealing his permanent switch to West Brom from Celtic. But now he will report for pre-season duty with the Baggies unless Flamengo rail against their supporters' wishes. West Brom refused to stand in Johnston's way but now appear set to keep the wide man with a sizeable fee already set during discussions with Flamengo. The 26-year-old has thrilled fans with his daring style over the years and appeared a perfect fit for the samba flair of South America. And Keane offered an impassioned defence of the Republic of Ireland international during a lively radio debate. Vampeta: 'Hello Keane, amigo, how are you?' Robbie Keane: 'How are you?' Vampeta:"Fine" Keane:"Yeah, are you good?" Vampeta:"Yes, good man." Keane:"How are you my friend?" Vampeta:"Fine. One minute please (hands phone over)." Pilhado:"Hi, I'm Vampeta's friend, how are you? Let me ask a question. We are in a programme in Brazil live, I want to know, do you know Mike Johnston, a striker from Ireland?" Keane:"Yeah, Michael, he's a winger, a left-winger, he's really small and fast." Pilhado:"(Translates answer) But let me ask you something, he is a good name for Flamengo, a Brazilian team here?" Keane: 'I'm with my Brazilian (fades out, but likely referring to Ferencvaros assistant coach Leandro de Almeida)... The fans will like him, because he is really fast and skillful." Pilhado: 'Do you think he is a good player for a big team in Brazil?" Pilhado: 'Thank you so much. Vampeta tells me he loves you.' Keane: 'Tell him I love him.' Pilhado: 'Roberto Carlos is with us also.' Keane: 'Ah, Roberto, my best friend. I love him.' Pilhado: 'Thank you so much.' You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Celtic page, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.
Irish Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Robbie Keane reacts to Mikey Johnston talk live on Brazilian sports show
Robbie Keane has told a Brazilian sports show that Ireland winger Mikey Johnston can be a hit at Serie A leaders Flamengo. Ferencvaros head coach Keane was called out of the blue by his former Inter Milan teammate Vampeta, a co-host of Jovem Pan Esportes. The pair were signed around the same time in the summer of 2000, and both left that winter - Keane to Leeds United on-loan and Vampeta to Paris St Germain. Keane, with 14 appearances, played twice as many games as his Brazilian pal. The call began with Vampeta asking Keane how he was, before passing the phone over to co-host Pilhado, who quizzed the former Ireland skipper in English. Keane added that Johnston was getting 'better and better' as a player. Johnston was on Saturday linked with a sensational €6m move to Flamengo, who are currently top of the Brazilian Serie A. West Brom are currently in Austria for a pre-season training camp, but Johnston has not joined his teammates, according to the latest reporting in the Express and Star. Baggies officials are working on the potential move and Johnston is expected in Brazil this week to finalise the deal. It would be a most remarkable transfer, with Johnston becoming the first Irish player to line out in Brazil's top-flight. Keane last week was involved in another surprise move by a Boys in Green star, when he signed Callum O'Dowda to his Hungarian champions from Cardiff City. Here's how the conversation with Jovem Pan Esportes went… Vampeta: 'Hello Keane, amigo, how are you?' Robbie Keane: 'How are you?' Vampeta: Fine Keane: Yeah, are you good? Vampeta: Yes, good man. Keane: How are you my friend? Vampeta: Fine. One minute please. Pilhado: Hi, I'm Vampeta's friend, how are you? Let me ask a question. We are in a programme in Brazil live, I want to know, do you know Mike Johnston, a striker from Ireland? Keane: Yeah, Michael, he's a winger, a left-winger, he's really small and fast. Pilhado: (Translates answer) But let me ask you something, he is a good name for Flamengo, a Brazilian team here? Keane: 'I'm with my Brazilian (fades out, but likely referring to Ferencvaros assistant coach Leandro de Almeida)... The fans will like him, because he is really fast and skillful. Pilhado: 'Do you think he is a good player for a big team in Brazil? Keane: 'Yeah, I think he is getting better and better. Also, he is a good guy. Pilhado: 'Thank you so much. Vampeta tells me he loves you.' Keane: 'Tell him I love him.' Pilhado: 'Roberto Carlos is with us also.' Keane: 'Ah, Roberto, my best friend. I love him.' Pilhado: 'Thank you so much.' Keane: 'Ciao guys.' You can watch the exchange here...
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal finally seal permanent transfer for signing dubbed 'a scandal'
Arsenal have sanctioned the departure Marquinhos, who will join Brazilian side Cruzeiro, three years after his transfer was ridiculed by those back in South America Arsenal have offloaded Marquinhos with the forward going back to Brazil - three years after his signing was labelled a "scandal" by those back in South America. The 22-year-old joined from Sao Paulo and is now heading back to the Brazilian Serie A with Cruzeiro in a £2.5m move. His appearances were few and far between and he ended up playing just six times in all competitions, scoring the once. Marquinhos spent much of his time out on loan with spells at Norwich City, Nantes, Fluminense and Cruzeiro during his time on Arsenal's books and has now made his move to Brazil a permanent one after failing to make the grade at the Emirates. An Arsenal statement said: "Marquinhos has moved to Brazilian Serie A side Cruzeiro in a permanent transfer." It added: "Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Marquinhos for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future." He cost Arsenal just €3million in compensation fees when he originally moved as the Premier League side took advantage of his deal expiring that summer. Marquinhos came through the youth system at Sao Paulo and was tipped to have a major impact with several of the country's pundit identifying him as a talent in his teenage years. They were therefore left stunned that his contract was allowed to wind down, which meant he was able to leave for such a minor fee. World Cup winner Vampeta was among those and claimed it was "absurd". He said: "Marquinhos' business. They're going to lose Marquinhos to Arsenal for €3m. I don't know if you remember that I used to say I watched Audax's academy games, Marquinhos in the under-15… he used to already make the difference. I said here on the show, 'There's an U-15 at Sao Paulo, Marquinhos'… Now he's going to leave on a silver platter." TV Host Thiago Asmar claimed that Marquinhos should be worth at least €10-15m as he said it was a "scandal" for him to be allowed to depart for such a minimal amount. Former Arsenal chief Edu claimed that Marquinhos was "a player for the future" but Mikel Arteta was never able to unlock his potential. The Brazilian had a number of players ahead of him in the pecking order and opportunities ultimately never came his way. The Gunners are looking to further bolster their frontline this summer with wide forwards on their shortlist. They've been linked with the likes if Nico Williams, who has become a leading light at Athletic Bilbao and could be tempted by a move to the Premier League.
