LIVERPOOLS bid to net Damien Duff has been hijacked by
Newcastle.
Winger Duff, 27, looked bound for Anfield after being told he could
quit champions Chelsea.
But last night he stunned the Kop by agreeing terms for a
£10million Toon move - then had a medical at Newcastle on
Saturday.
A Magpies statement said: Newcastle United have exchanged
contracts with Chelsea for the transfer of Damien Duff. The player
has agreed terms and is currently undergoing a medical.
Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder had confirmed their interest yesterday,
declaring: It does not surprise me to be linked with someone of
his quality but Ive heard Tottenham and Liverpool are both
interested in him.
Wed be interested in any player of that calibre.
Its whether we can become involved with someone like Damien or,
for that matter, anyone else weve been linked with like Dirk Kuyt
at Feyenoord.
You wouldnt want to be signing players no one else wants.
Liverpool have been trying to capture Sevilles Brazilian winger
Daniel Alves all summer but are long-term Duff admirers.
They hoped to sign him when he left Blackburn three years ago, only
to be comprehensively outbid as Chelsea weighed in with a £17m
offer.
This time, though, Reds chief Rafa Benitez reckoned the lure of
Champions League football would be decisive.
Chelsea have paved the way for Ashley Coles £16m arrival from
Arsenal next week by allowing Asier Del Horno to join Valencia for
around £4.8m.
