Newcastle launch bids for transfers

Jan 5 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

NEWCASTLE United were closing in on their first-choice transfer targets last night after formally submitting written offers for Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon and Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford.

United have not dawdled in their attempt to strengthen the squad during the transfer window and have made bids of more than one million pounds for both players in the hope of completing the deals before the trip to Reading on Saturday.

Whether things will move that quickly is doubtful given the need for both Sheffield United and Leeds to put on a public display of defiance in the face of Newcastle’s interest.

But senior sources at the Tyneside club are “quietly confident” the moves will be successful. Sheffield United received the bid for Kilgallon (pictured right), yesterday morning and were still considering it last night, even though the defender has indicted he wants to move to St James’ Park.

Although the Blades have attempted to deny they will allow the 25-year-old to leave midway through their league campaign, their manager Kevin Blackwell has acknowledged the fact they are probably fighting a losing battle. He is now more interested in ensuring he is given the funds to replace Kilgallon – who has also attracted interest from Everton – rather than fight to keep him against his wishes, particularly as he will leave for free in June if the Blades do not accept Newcastle’s offer.

Significantly, while the Magpies have refused to pay over the odds they have offered enough money for Sheffield to reinvest and are hopeful it will be accepted in the next 48 hours. Kilgallon picked up a slight hamstring injury

at the weekend, but it is not serious enough to jeopardise a move if Sheffield give him permission to discuss personal terms with the Magpies.

There is rather less certainty regarding their bid for Beckford, although The Journal understands he has informed the Leeds United hierarchy he wants to leave this month and is willing to hand in a transfer request to force their hand.

Leeds, fresh from their shock FA Cup win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday when Beckford scored the only goal of the game, are trying to hold on to their 20-goal top goalscorer for as long as possible.