Hughes for sale....?

Newcastle will turn to West Brom hitman Lee Hughes if they lose out in the chase for Francis Jeffers.

Everton have accepted and 8 million pounds bid from Newcastle for their England U21 striker but Jeffers is holding out for a move to Arsenal.

Robson is now ready to pounce for Hughes who was officially put up for sale last night and would cost about 7 million pounds.

The phrase "was officially put up for sale last night" is news to us! The last we heard was that the Club were in the process of arranging talks with Hughes and his agent, with the striker himself being currently on holiday in the USA.

Speculation or information? The only quote attributed to the Club anywhere is one from John Wile saying

"We have to live in the real world. If we cannot get Lee to sign then we have to consider the other option and do what is best for the football club."

If that's the only quote available, it's some way off a statement of Hughes being up for sale. However, rumours suggest that at the first meeting with Hughes' agent, the issue of a new salary was discussed, and that the Club were somewhat horrified to find out what sort of wages a £7 million player could expect to receive in the Premiership. We await further news with apprehension...