Source: Daily_Mail
Bassong chooses Tottenham ahead of City after being fined by Newcastle
Sebastien Bassong's Newcastle exit appears to have moved closer after he was fined two weeks' wages for refusing to travel to Sunday's friendly at Dundee United - and it emerged he wants to play under Harry Redknapp at Tottenham.
The French-born Cameroonian, 23, is understood to be leaning towards a move to Spurs rather than the riches of Manchester City.
His agent, Chris Hentoray, is planning talks this week with both clubs, plus Aston Villa and Everton, as Bassong plots his St James's Park escape route in the wake of relegation.
Newcastle have disciplined the defender for his non-appearance in the 1-1 draw at Tannadice, though the punishment - around £12,000 - is small change compared to the salaries of some of his more established teammates.
A Newcastle source said: 'As far as the club is concerned, he is under contract with Newcastle United. And if he fails to turn up for a game, then the necessary action must be taken.'
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is also an admirer of Bassong, signed by former boss Kevin Keegan last summer from Metz for £500,000, but Redknapp is anxious to strengthen the centre of his defence, where Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson may all be missing for the start of the season through injury.
Newcastle are said to value Bassong at £10million, but a £7m bid could yet be enough to clinch a deal.
Bassong, banned for the first two games of Newcastle's Championship campaign with a suspension carried over from last season, believes working for Redknapp would help his development.
He wants to sell - and quickly: Newcastle owner Mike Ashley
City's financial muscle could yet come into play but there is a danger they could miss out on all their targets.
Everton are determined to make Joleon Lescott's departure difficult, Sylvain Distin would prefer to play regularly with Aston Villa while Bassong has put a switch to London ahead of Manchester at this stage.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have distanced themselves from reports of a buy-out by Dubai Investment Capital - formerly in takeover talks with Liverpool - and warned it could take six months before owner Mike Ashley's attempts to sell the Tyneside club come to fruition.
A source close to Ashley insisted: 'I would guide people well away from the link with DIC. The reality is there is nothing there on that.
'The club is still up for sale and the asking price is £100m. To ask how long it will take is almost an impossible question to answer. It could go through in due course - or it could take six months.'
The Magpies are also cool on talk of a local consortium, featuring Tyneside businessman Barry Moat, taking control with Middle-East backing.
