Newcastle United Football Club News

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

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Pascal eyes Magpies switch

25 Jan 2008 - 08:56:26

Click To Enlarge

Tottenham Hotspur defender Pascal Chimbonda claims he is poised to join Newcastle United.

The nomadic French full-back says he is set to join Kevin Keegan on Tyneside after accepting a more lucrative contract.

However, the former Wigan Athletic defender would appear to be on collision course with his current club, who have yet to sanction any deal.

To rub salt into Spurs' wounds, Chimbonda also claims the opportunity to play in next month's Carling Cup Final against Chelsea holds little interest.

"Kevin Keegan has approached me and they've offered me more money," he is quoted as saying in The Sun.

"I am definitely leaving Spurs. It's all about the money. I don't care about the final, I don't care about the cup."

Chimbonda's career in England has been marred by fall-outs with clubs after angering Wigan officials by handing in a written transfer request just minutes after the final game of the 2005/06 season.

The 28-year-old had joined the Latics at the start of the season and had renegotiated a new four-year contract just six months earlier.

He eventually joined Spurs in a protracted £4million deal after being told that Wigan would be happy to leave him playing reserve team football for the remainder of his contract.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are reportedly set to offer Obafemi Martins a new long-term contract.

The Nigeria striker will be offered a new £90,000 per week deal on his return to St James' Park from the Africa Cup of Nations.