Magpies chase £2.5m Czech defender

10:40am Friday 18th July 2008

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NEWCASTLE United are facing a four-team battle to persuade Slavia Prague defender Marek Suchy to move to Tyneside.

The 20-year-old has revealed that the Magpies and Aston Villa are both interested in him, with Everton and Rangers apparently at the head of the queue.

The centre-back, available for around £2.5m, ticks the boxes on age and possible future sell-on value for Newcastle’s recruitment team led by Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez, and is rated amongst the best in Czech football.

Suchy helped Slavia to win their domestic league last season and has attracted interest from clubs across Europe.

“There’s a couple of other clubs from the Premier League that want me now as well (as Rangers and Everton), namely Newcastle and Aston Villa,” said Suchy.

“The chance of me leaving is still there. But Slavia have not received a formal offer yet. That’s the problem.”

Suchy has been a key component of the Slavia team for the past two seasons, and was a member of the side defeated in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup last season by Tottenham Hotspur.

Meanwhile, Obafemi Martins is committed to Newcastle United despite apparent interest from Arsenal in the Nigeria striker.

“I am still a Newcastle player and I really want to play for Newcastle,” he said.

“There is talk about Arsenal, which is a good thing because they play in the UEFA Champions League, but for now I am a Newcastle player and I will stay here for three years.”

■ Newcastle have turned down a £1m bid from Norwich City for striker Andy Carroll.

■ Hartlepool United drew a blank on their second preseason fixture yesterday – as Pools missed out on a new striker.

Linfield’s Peter Thompson was on Danny Wilson’s summer radar, but the Northern Ireland international is set to join Stockport County for £100,000.

Pools and Norwich were also interested, but he is likely to line up against Pools in League One next season.

Wilson’s side played out a goalless draw in the second game of their trip to Scotland.

On trial goalkeeper Derek Soutar made his second appearance and saved a penalty from Falkirk’s Graham Barratt, after Micky Nelson felled his opponent.

But chances were rare in the game, played at Stirling University.

Pools are reported to be one of five clubs interested in Soutar, a former Aberdeen shot-stopper, who made 14 outings in the SPL last season.

Pools: Soutar, Sweeney (Collins 74), Nelson, Clark, Humphreys, Liddle (Power 81), Boland (Jones 60), Monkhouse (Robson 46), Foley (McCunnie 56), Barker (Brown 46t), Porter (Mackay 72).