LONDON : Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker looks set to move to
Newcastle this week after it was widely reported the two clubs have
agreed a fee of 6.5 million pounds.
Everton, Aston Villa, Birmingham, Tottenham and his former club
Charlton were all interested in the England international.
Spurs had hoped to steal a march on their rivals by taking Parker
as compensation for the departure to Stamford Bridge of sporting
director Frank Arnesen.
Everton's interest cooled after talks with the player revealed that
they were unlikely to agree personal terms.
But it now appears that Parker will become Graeme Souness' first
signing of the summer as Newcastle continue an ambitious
re-building programme.
Parker joined Chelsea for 10 million pounds in January last year
after forcing a bitter departure from Charlton.
But the move backfired following the summer arrival of Jose
Mourinho as Parker found himself on the outside of the new
manager's 24-man first-team squad.
- AFP /ct