COVENTRY striker Craig Bellamy is set to become Newcastle United's first summer signing in a deal believed to be worth £6m.

The Welsh international was on Tyneside for talks with the Magpies yesterday and is expected to have further discussions over the weekend.

United are confident the move will go through, ten months since they missed out on Bellamy when he joined the Sky Blues from Norwich.

The initial collapse of Duncan Ferguson's return to Everton left United without the cash to finance their move for Bellamy.

But United manager Bobby Robson has remained a firm admirer of the 22-year-old front-runner, who is anxious to quit Highfield Road following Coventry's relegation.

Bellamy scored only eight goals last season as his side finally lost their 34-year grip on top-flight status.

But Robson turned his sights back to Bellamy after being snubbed in an £8m approach for Everton striker Francis Jeffers, who chose to join Arsenal in a £10m deal.

The United boss is also still looking at striking targets in Spain and Holland as he attempts to increase his frontline options.

Skipper Alan Shearer will miss the start of next season following knee surgery near the end of last term, while Carl Cort is carrying a worrying ankle injury.

Robson is now poised to splash out £13m from limited transfer funds, with Dutch international winger Boudewijn Zenden close to agreeing a £7m switch to St James' Park