PATRICK Kluivert has moved nearer clinching a move to Newcastle United after his agent held further talks with the St James' Park board.

Kluivert has made playing for the Magpies next season his main priority and negotiations are at an advanced stage between the player's representative, Paul Foortse, and the club.

The Dutchman is desperate to play in the Premiership and he sees Tyneside has the perfect place to re-ignite his career after a fruitless Euro 2004 and a disappointing end to his spell at Barcelona.

It would be a major coup for Newcastle if they were to finalise the arrival of Kluivert, but manager Sir Bobby Robson would face a battle to keep all of his forwards happy next season. Skipper Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy, Michael Chopra and Shola Ameobi are all still on the club's books and Kluivert would not be content to spend a large part of the campaign on the bench.

Speculation regarding the Holland star, allowed to leave Barcelona on a free transfer, spurred Shearer into suggesting he would leave rather than play second fiddle himself.

But the 33-year-old last night move to clarify his future by insisting he is happy to stay at Newcastle.

Shearer, with one year left before retirement, has now claimed he wants to help Robson's men enjoy a successful campaign - hopefully by getting his hands on some silverware in his swansong season.

But the former England and Blackburn man did reveal that he expects to be playing every week so long as he continues to hit his best form.

"I never ever said that I was going to quit. All I want to do in my last season as everybody generally does, is to play football," said Shearer, who is expected to play for Newcastle in Hong Kong on Sunday against Kitchee.

"With Newcastle may be signing new players and with the excellent players we already have, I certainly realise that only two people can play up front.

"I would never stop the development of Newcastle, who are more important than any player. I would never take my place for granted. If I'm playing well than I expect to play for the side regularly."

Newcastle have also been keeping tabs on Southampton's James Beattie but have been put off by the £10m valuation.

And Robson remains on the look out for a new right-back after missing out on a host of targets including Benfica's Miguel and Greece hero Giorgios Setaridis.

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