Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan is lining up a player swap
plus cash for England Under-21 defender Anton Ferdinand from West
Ham United, according to reports.
The Hammers have valued
23-year-old Ferdinand at £10million, which proved to be too much
for Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the summer, but Magpies boss
Keegan is prepared to offer Republic of Ireland International
Damien Duff plus a fee to bring Ferdinand to St James’ Park.
Ferdinand, came through the West Ham Academy like his older
brother Rio and made his first team debut in 2003, making 138
appearances so far for the Irons, with 17 appearances as an England
Under-21 International.
29-year-old Duff joined Newcastle in 2006 from Chelsea for
£5million, but has been troubled by a series of injuries since his
move from Stamford Bridge, with the Irishman making only 38
appearances during his time at Newcastle.
Keegan is eager to pair Ferdinand with England Under-21
International Steven Taylor, who has just recently signed a new
deal with the Magpies.
While Duff could be deemed surplus to requirements at St James’
Park, with the arrival of Argentine International Jonas Guitierrez
from La Liga side Real Mallorca for an undisclosed fee.
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