Kinnear won't abandon Euro search

Kinnear won't abandon Euro search

Published Jun. 28, 2013 9:15 a.m. ET

Hellas Verona have further bolstered their squad ahead of a return to Serie A by signing Uruguayan defender Alejandro Gonzalez from Penarol for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old former Uruguay Under-20 international will join former Palermo midfielder Massimo Donati at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi as the Gialloblu rebuild for a first top-flight campaign in 12 years.

A statement published on hellasverona.it read: "Hellas Verona have acquired the playing right of Uruguayan Alejandro Gonzalez from Club Atletico Penarol Montevideo."

The defender, who has also played in Peru with Sporting Cristal, will be presented to the press at the Bentegodi this afternoon where contract terms are set to be revealed.

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The Magpies have prospered in recent seasons as a result of chief scout Graham Carr's knowledge of continental talent, which has allowed the club to recruit the likes of Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Papiss Cisse and Moussa Sissoko.

However, amid misgivings over the lack of home-grown talent in Pardew's squad, a perception has emerged in recent weeks that domestic options will be examined this summer, with Aston Villa striker Darren Bent and West Ham defender James Tomkins understood to be among the current list of potential targets.

But while Newcastle's horizons may be extended, Kinnear insists Carr's expertise will not go to waste.

He told the Chronicle: "We will look abroad again with Graham Carr. I have had three days with Graham already.

"We have been palling up, so we will go abroad. We will go to everywhere in Europe looking at matches. We will scour the length and breadth of Europe to find what we want."

Kinnear, whose appointment caused such consternation on Tyneside, is busily trying to forge a working relationship with Pardew and Carr and is convinced the three of them can take the club forward.

He said: "Three of us can sit down and iron out what we think is the best for Newcastle.

"Our role is to get the best players and the best team that Newcastle can have. That's what I intend to do.

"I'm not saying, 'Hey, let's go and get Ronaldo and Messi'. They are out of our range. But if we see what we believe are good, solid players, I don't see why we shouldn't be in the top 10.

"Each night, I will be going to matches. Maybe I will be going out of the country with Graham. We will travel around. We will go elsewhere to try to open the doors on new signings."

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