Aston Villa close in on Magpies defenders
Aug 5 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
Villa are thought to be ready to meet Newcastle’s £4m valuation, whereas the Tigers have offered just half of it.
Beye is one of the players Alan Shearer was hoping to keep at the club if he got the manager’s job. But it now seems the Senegalese international – probably Sam Allardyce’s most successful United signing – will have left before that can happen.
Landing Bassong might prove more difficult for Villa, judging by the suggestion that the central defender would favour a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
The £500,000 signing from Metz last summer is suspended from Saturday’s Championship opener at West Bromwich Albion having been sent off in the club’s last Premier League game, at Villa in May.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has gone public with his interest in the 23-year-old defender.
And it would suit all parties if an eight-figure deal was pushed through.
Judging by Redknapp’s track record this summer, though, that could prove difficult.
Newcastle have refused to comment on reports that Bassong was fined two weeks’ wages for failing to travel to Dundee United on Sunday, rather than missing the pre-season friendly with an unspecified injury as Hughton claimed afterwards. Beye also missed the 1-1 draw.
One player with no intention of leaving is goalkeeper Steve Harper.
He plans to make the most of finally being handed the club’s number one jersey for his 19th season at St James’s.
“I’ve waited a long time for my opportunity and I intend to stay there for a long time,” Harper told the club’s official website.
“The younger lads keep me on their toes and I’ll help them all I can – but one thing I won’t be doing is rolling over.
“I’m feeling fit and strong and want to play a major part in getting us back into the Premier League.”
Harper has been first choice since friend and long-time rival Shay Given joined Manchester City in January.
Mike Dean will referee Saturday’s televised game at West Brom having officiated the Premier League match between the sides at St James’s Park last October.
