Magpies make successful Smith bid
Newcastle have confirmed they have agreed a fee with Manchester United for England striker Alan Smith. The Magpies are in talks with the 26-year-old, who has also been linked with a host of Premiership clubs. Smith who could even make his Newcastle debut alongside his former Leeds team-mate Mark Viduka in a pre-season friendly against Sampdoria on Sunday.The Magpies have also confirmed they are talking to the former Lyon captain Claudio Cacapa. The 31-year-old Brazilian central defender is out of contract but skippered the French champions in each of their last five title-winning seasons. Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has so far added Viduka, Joey Barton, David Rozehnal and Geremi since arriving at the club. But with six players departing and Kieron Dyer also set to leave the new manager has been frustrated in his lack of new faces.
However, the club are hopeful of beating off competition from their north-east rivals Middlesbrough and Sunderland, as well as the likes of Everton and Spurs, by attracting the £6m-rated Smith to St James' Park. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson earlier admitted there had been plenty of interest in the player.
Everton's chase is thought to be dependent upon them offloading James Beattie, while Boro's bid looks to have stalled. Smith has two years left on his current deal but is expected to be sold before the start of the season. He battled back from a broken leg to play last season, but the offer of a new deal at Old Trafford has not materialised. The striker was signed from Leeds United for £7m three years ago.
