Source: Northern_Echo
Taylor in Pardew's sights
WELSH defender Neil Taylor will cap a remarkable rise from the Conference Premier to the Premier League should he sign for Newcastle United this summer.[LNB] Swansea City confirmed yesterday that the Magpies had firmed up their interest in the left-sided defender by making a £1m offer - which, it is believed, will trigger a release clause in the former Wrexham defender's contract.[LNB] Taylor signed for Swansea at the end of the 2009-10 season after three seasons with the Robins. He missed the Swans' 4-2 Championship play-off victory over Reading after being sent off in the semi-final first leg at Nottingham Forest, and is a player that Swansea do not want to see leaving the Liberty Stadium.[LNB] Chairman Huw Jenkins said yesterday: "We have received a proposal from Newcastle regarding Neil, but it has not been accepted or rejected at this stage."[LNB] "We have received a number of bids for Neil's services and we will be talking it over with him when he returns from a break next week.[LNB] "Neil is a player we brought to the club this season from the Conference with Wrexham with a view to him progressing and developing with us over a number of years.[LNB] "The last thing on our minds is to sell anyone over the summer."[LNB] United manager Alan Pardew has told midfielder Alan Smith he can leave the club as he enters the final year of his contract.[LNB] Smith, signed from Manchester United by Sam Allardyce, played a pivotal role for the Magpies in their promotion from the Championship in 2009-10, but has found opportunities limited following the signing of Cheik Tiote.[LNB] n Swansea have confirmed the signing of striker Danny Graham from Watford for a club-record fee.[LNB] The Premier League new boys have splashed £3.5million on the 25-year-old from Chester-le-Street who is set to sign a four-year contract.[LNB] Graham, freed by Middlesbrough in 2007, was the top scorer in the npower Championship last season with 24 goals.[LNB] The deal for Graham remains subject to a medical, to be completed when the player returns from holiday.[LNB] A Swansea statement read: ''The club has today agreed personal terms.[LNB] ''Graham will sign a four-year contract with an additional 15 per cent sell-on clause to Watford on any profit above the £3.5million.''[LNB] Carlisle will receive up to £500,000 as part of a sell-on clause when he moved to Watford.[LNB]
