Magpies in queue to pocket Brown

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The 28-year-old England man will be a free agent in the summer when his Old Trafford deal expires and he recently turned down what Sir Alex Ferguson said was the club's final contract offer.

Now, according to the Manchester Evening News, struggling Newcastle have made a firm offer for him.

Boss Sam Allardyce is under increasing pressure on Tyneside following that 2-0 midweek home defeat by Manchester City.

And he reportedly sees the addition of Brown as key to bolstering his side's shaky defence.

Allardyce is a long-term admirer of Brown, who has spent most of the season deputising for the injured Gary Neville at right-back at Old Trafford.

Ferguson must now decide whether to let Brown go now for a fee or lose him for nothing in the summer.

If he takes the first option it could leave him light at the back with Neville still having to prove his match fitness.

The options behind the skipper are John O'Shea and Danny Simpson.

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Reds reject bid for Wes

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that the club have turned down an offer from Newcastle United for defender Wes Brown.

The 28-year-old, whose current contract runs until the summer, is free to speak to other clubs having refused to sign a new deal with the Reds.

Contract negotiations have been ongoing between Brown and United for most of the season. The Reds made their final offer just before Christmas, but the England international is yet to put pen to paper.

And Sir Alex insists the matter is now completely in Brown's hands.

"There was an enquiry from Newcastle about Wes and we turned it down," confirmed the United boss on Friday.

"The matter rests with Wes and his agent. We'll just wait and see what happens. Our offer is still there - it's now up to Wes."