Newcastle United Football Club

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52193

Martins deal moves closer

22 Aug 2006 - 12:48:57

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Newcastle United have agreed a fee of around £10million with Internazionale for Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins.

The 21-year-old's agent is reported to have already held preliminary discussions about personal terms and Magpies chairman Freddie Shepherd is hopeful of finally ending the club's long search for a new centre forward.

Shepherd told United's official website: "I can confirm we have agreed a fee with Inter Milan for Obafemi Martins.

"It is now up to the player and the agent to agree terms on the offer."

Newcastle are desperate to add to their strike options after Alan Shearer retired and Michael Owen suffered a serious knee injury, and Martins is eager to take on the challenge.

"I'm close to moving to Newcastle despite all the initial setbacks. Eighty per cent of the deal with Newcastle is completed," he told BBC Sport on Monday.

"Playing in the Premiership has been a long-term ambition and I am extremely delighted with the prospect of concluding that in the next couple of days."