AFTER spending the last few days in Turkey, Graeme Souness should learn today whether his bid to ensure midfielder Belozoglu Emre becomes a Newcastle United player has been successful.

The 24-year-old has been targeted by the Magpies to fill the void left by Frenchman Laurent Robert and a transfer from Inter Milan is close to being agreed.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd confirmed the club's manager has held 'exploratory talks' with the 24-year-old and a deal looks to be close.

Emre's agent, Ahmet Bulut, has revealed his player's intention to play in the Premiership next season and Newcastle are the front-runners for his signature.

Everton, who can offer Champions League football, have pulled out of the race after refusing to meet Emre's reported £60,000-a-week wage demands.

And now the Turkey international is ready to announce where he intends to play his football. "He is back from holiday and you will know by tomorrow which team he will be playing for next season," said Bulut last night.

"There are six teams in England who have asked about Emre and Emre is playing next season in England, for sure."

As well as Newcastle and Everton, the other clubs linked with a move for the talented Turk have been Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Blackburn.

But only Newcastle have maintained an interest in Emre - who was also offered to Middlesbrough - throughout.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, insist they have not given up hope of landing Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy.

Bellamy revealed earlier this week that he will have no worries about returning for pre-season training on July 4 if a suitable transfer is not sorted out.

Villa had been given permission to speak to the Welshman last month when they agreed a double deal that also involved Aaron Hughes.

However, despite Hughes' departure, Bellamy has still not made his mind up whether or to say yes or no to the Villans.

''We haven't been informed either by the player or his representatives that he has rejected us, so it is something we are still actively pursuing,'' said club secretary Steve Stride. ''As far as I am concerned, we are still in there fighting.''

Meanwhile, Sir Bobby Robson has given unemployed John Carver a glowing reference after the coach parted company with Newcastle.

Carver was Robson's right-hand man at St James' Park and the former England boss hopes to be working alongside the Geordie again in the near future.

Both men are looking for an avenue back into the game and the pair could end up working alongside one another again sooner rather than later.

And Robson, surprised by Carver's removal as Academy Director on Tyneside, said: "John never let me down. He's hard working, dedicated, honest, straight as a dye and a mighty fine coach. He learnt from me and had his own ideas too.

"He deserves a lot of credit for what happened at Newcastle when I was there. Under me, he thrived and I was delighted with him.

"He took his qualifications, did wonderfully well and now has his Pro-Licence, If I ever get back into management, the first thing I'll do is bring in John as my right-hand man.

"That's how highly I rate him. Whatever the job is, he'll be there with me. I known John is looking to break into management himself. Well, I wouldn't hesitate in giving him a glowing reference. I've already recommended him to one or two people in the game."

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