OBAFEMI Martins will lead this month’s St James’ Park exodus after Newcastle accepted an 9m euros offer from German side Wolfsburg.

He was absent as the Magpies drew 0-0 with Leeds in their latest pre-season friendly last night, and the Nigerian is due to finalise a permanent move this morning.

Mike Ashley had previously imposed a transfer embargo while his attempts to sell the club were ongoing, and his willingness to sanction the sale is being interpreted as confirmation that a takeover is not imminent.

Interim manager Chris Hughton refused to confirm Martins’ departure, but the striker’s absence spoke volumes.

Damien Duff was also excluded from the match-day squad, but his absence was due to a minor groin injury, rather than an imminent move from the Magpies.

With the attendance dropping below 17,000, despite more than 4,000 Leeds fans, Hughton admits it will be a long haul to win the fans back But after last weekend’s 6-1 trouncing at Leyton Orient, the former coach said: “It was the reaction we were after. It was a committed performance and they applied themselves to the task in hand well.

“We knew it was going to be tough but we had the better chances. I was disappointed we didn’t win, but I wasn’t disappointed with the performance.”