Newcastle United: Newcastle to join Morientes race

Newcastle have joined the race to sign Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes and scupper Liverpool's bid to snap up the player, according to reports.

Liverpool were reported to have bid 3.5m for the 28-year-old Spanish international this week.

But the Liverpool Echo newspaper has said Anfield boss Rafa Benitez will avoid a bidding war and instead turn his attentions to Nicolas Anelka.

Real are believed to still want 7m before selling Morientes.

Monaco are also in the race for the player they had on loan last season.

BBC Sport

wonder why newcastle want him, they got bellamy, shearer and kluivert. how would be dropped as souness has been playing the 3 of them right?

The word on the grapevine is they're returning the favour to Madrid for the Woodgate deal, and that they're putting in a phoney bid to get Liverpool to put up more money. Newcastle don't need him, and are in more need of defenders than strikers.

its claimed four clubs want him in england, and newcastle want him badly

Fernando Morientes' agent has claimed four Premiership clubs are chasing the Real Madrid striker, with reports in Spain insisting Newcastle United are keen on a deal.

Magpies boss Graeme Souness brushed off last week's rumours of an interest in the Spain international by declaring the stories were speculation.

But reports in the Spanish media are adamant that Newcastle are among Morientes' suitors and are willing to meet Real's asking price.

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[Edited on 12/27/04 by rynaldo82]