Time running out for Magpies to sign Beckford (From The Northern Echo)

Time running out for Magpies to sign Beckford

10:52am Thursday 9th July 2009

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JERMAINE BECKFORD is still interested in signing for Newcastle United, but time will eventually run out for the Magpies if a deal is not agreed within the next few weeks.

The Leeds United striker is in demand, with Sheffield United, Peterborough, Barnsley and Scunthorpe all in the market for his signature.

But Newcastle are the forward’s preferred choice, provided the uncertainty surrounding the club is lifted and a managerial appointment is made soon.

Leeds are looking for £2m for the 25-year-old and Alan Shearer, expected to be installed as the Magpies boss once a takeover has been completed, is interested in the player.

And while that has encouraged Beckford, the striker, who has hit 54 goals in two season at Elland Road, also realises he can’t wait around forever.

“It wouldn’t be true to say that Newcastle have missed out on Jermaine because of what is going on there,” said Beckford’s agent Nick Rubery.

“There has been interest from other clubs and I would anticipate something happening soon – maybe in the next couple of weeks when the transfer market begins to start hotting up.

“The longer it goes on the less chance they have of getting Jermaine, but it’s not for me to say what is going on at Newcastle.

“But it is certainly true that Newcastle are still a seriously attractive option for Jermaine.

They are a big club, with a fantastic tradition and history and any player would love to play at St James’ Park.

I’m sure he would talk to whoever takes over at Newcastle when it is sorted out.”

Shearer is thought to have spoken to Rubery this summer and there has been tentative interest from other Premier League clubs, although none have followed up with a firm offer.

As such, Newcastle and Shearer remain one of the favourites to land him – provided the sale of the club is agreed soon.

The indications are that owner Mike Ashley will have sold to one of the four consortia currently going through a process of due diligence sooner rather than later.

And while a Malaysian group remains a serious contender for the purchase of the club, the media mogul thought to have been fronting the deal denied any interest in Newcastle last night.

Billionaire Tan Sri Ananda Krishnan issued a statement through Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd, a company he owns, yesterday.

It read: “There is in fact no truth or foundation to this story.

“Mr Krishnan has not expressed an interest in purchasing Newcastle United Football Club, has not sent any delegation to Newcastle to engage in such talks or authorised any representatives to negotiate on his behalf and is not considering any such purchase.”

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