SAM ALLARDYCE wants Newcastle United to conclude a deal for Arsenal's unsettled Lassana Diarra before giving Emre the go-ahead to continue his career away from St James' Park.

Sources in Turkey claim Bayern Munich have already struck a deal with Newcastle for the creative midfielder, although the 27-year-old's representatives have failed to agree terms.

Monaco are keen on luring Emre to France, while Galatasaray also remain hopeful their former hero will return to Istanbul.

And Allardyce has accepted that the former Inter Milan man is not in his plans for the direction he wants Newcastle to head, but knows he does not have the strength in depth to sell at this stage.

It is more than likely Newcastle will accept less than the £3.8m Graeme Souness paid in the summer of 2005, although they will be looking to recoup as much of that fee as possible.

Both Bayern and Monaco would match the valuation and the decision would lie purely with Emre, given how he can claim a bigger contract at either of those clubs than he would at his boyhood heroes, Galatasaray.

But bearing in mind the dearth of Newcastle's midfield options, Allardyce will not allow Emre to move until a ready-made replacement is lined up.

With Joey Barton's future uncertain in the aftermath of his off-the-field problems, the Newcastle boss is already short of his £5.8m summer midfield recruit.

Now Geremi has headed off to the African Cup of Nations with Cameroon and Nicky Butt has a two-match ban having picked up ten bookings.