JOSE MOURINHO has hijacked Newcastles bid to sign
Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell. And the Chelsea boss is convinced
he has got his man by offering him £50,000 a week. Sidwell, 24,
will be out of contract in a few weeks and available on a free
transfer. Newcastle were favourites to sign the ex-Arsenal trainee
for months but Chelsea have stepped in and topped the Toons
£40,000-a-week offer.
The move for playmaker Sidwell also reopens the uncertainty around
midfield ace Frank Lampards future at Stamford Bridge. Lampard,
28, has still not signed a new contract at Chelsea with Spanish
giants Barcelona keen on the England star.
Mourinho has already put the wheels in motion to start rebuilding
his team after losing his grip on the Premiership title and yet
another season of disappointment in the Champions League.
Sidwell has been a key figure helping Reading consolidate in their
first Premiership season and it has not gone unnoticed at Stamford
Bridge. Mourinho has always insisted on having an English spine to
his team. Sidwell was born on Chelseas doorstep in Wandsworth
and would be a ready replacement for Lampard.
Reading have offered Sidwell £25,000 a week to sign a new deal
but the ambitious player is holding out in a bid to secure a
big-money move.
