NEWCASTLE full-back Jose Enrique has admitted he was pleased to be linked with a move to Spanish club Atletico Madrid but would also welcome the chance to stay in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old defender has three years left on his contract at St James’ Park, although after the club’s relegation from the top flight he has been linked with a move away from Tyneside.

Atletico are considering making a move for Enrique as the La Liga outfit seek a possible replacement for outgoing defender Mariano Pernia this summer.

Despite paying Villareal £6.3m for the left back in August 2007, Newcastle would be willing to accept bids of around £4m for the player who has made 49 Premier League appearances.

“They are one of the major teams in the Spanish league.

Who would not want to play for a club like that?” said Enrique.

“I think that any player would want to pull on their shirt. Atletico are a big club with a big budget and great fans. They also have a great squad and have finished in the Champions League positions for next season.

“I do still have three years left on my contract with Newcastle, but I am pleased and flattered to be linked with them. I have seen Atletico play quite a few times this season and always follow the Spanish league. They have had a good season with (Diego) Forlan, who I knew at Villarreal.”

Enrique has also attracted interest from Fulham and West Ham United and revealed he would also be content to extend his spell in the English top flight.

“I do not have a preference about which country, I am open to anything. In Spain people live well and eat well, but I have enjoyed my adventure in England.

“The Premier League is the best in the world and I would study anything that came up,”

said Enrique, who reflected on the personal repercussions of the Magpies’ ill-fated season.

“Mentally I am exhausted. I could see for a long time that we could go down as many things at Newcastle have gone wrong. From the start we have not done things well and we have had such a bad season.

On a personal level it is obvious that relegation is something very negative.”

Alan Shearer has begun a short holiday in Portugal after failing to reach agreement with Mike Ashley to become Newcastle manager.

Ashley, the Magpies owner, spent part of this week attempting to raise the necessary funds for a short-term cash injection that would have secured Shearer’s swift return to the St James’ Park manager’s office.

Both parties had hoped the terms of Shearer’s contract could have been agreed before he took his break but any deal has been left in limbo, with Ashley left pondering his next move.

Unless he can secure financial backing to bankroll Shearer’s plans for next season, Ashley may be forced to re-appoint Joe Kinnear as a short-term replacement.

Keith Harris, the man charged by Ashley to find a buyer for the club, has so far drawn a blank. Harris, the chairman of investment bank Seymour Pierce, flew to Dubai at the start of the week but with no bidders forthcoming, Ashley is also believed to be still considering the option of placing the club into administration.

News that his close friend and former Tottenham vicechairman Paul Kelmsley has seen his property business enter administration this week gave Ashley a chastening warning of the folly of continuing to pour money into a failing business.

Rock Investments, coowned by Kelmsley, appointed administrators after collapsing under debts of £500m.

Kelmsley had worked for Ashley’s Sports Direct chain and referred to him as: “One of my greatest friends and allies.”