Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Aston Villa have emerged as the favourites to sign James Beattie after Newcastle United distanced themselves from the Southampton striker.
Although St James' Park is believed to be Beattie's preferred destination, the Newcastle manager, Graeme Souness, yesterday dismissed suggestions he was seen as Alan Shearer's long-term replacement. This leaves the field clear for means a straight fight between Aston Villa and Everton for the services of the 26-year-old.
The Aston Villa manager, David O'Leary, is entitled to consider himself in pole position. He was very close to landing Beattie in the August transfer window and would have done so had the deal given Southampton enough time to find a replacement. Villa have offered some £750,000 more than the £6m bid put forward by Everton - a figure that the board at Goodison Park is reluctant to exceed.
Although the Everton manager, David Moyes, has a January transfer budget of at least £10m, he would prefer not to spend the bulk of it on a single player. There has also been concern expressed lest Beattie's sometimes volatile temperament upset the balance of a squad which has taken a club tipped for relegation to a Champions' League spot. Newcastle had expressed an interest in signing Beattie in the summer, although their then manager, Sir Bobby Robson, found himself overruled by his chairman, Freddy Shepherd, who believed that Patrick Kluivert represented better value as he would not require a transfer fee.
If the Southampton chairman, Rupert Lowe, strikes a deal with Villa, it will not be without its ironies, since Lowe demanded a Premier League inquiry into O'Leary's conduct following allegations that he "tapped" Beattie during the summer. These objections are likely to be quietly forgotten, if the price is right.
However, with Redknapp wanting to use the fee for "two defenders, a couple of midfielders and perhaps a forward" it is vital for Southampton to open negotiations as quickly as possible. O'Leary, who presented the board at Villa Park with Beattie's name and three other transfer targets, expects talks before the official opening of the transfer window on Saturday. The one certain winner in the negotiations are Blackburn, who will receive 20 per cent of any fee because of a sell-on clause in the striker's contract.
* Leeds have turned down an offer from an unnamed Premiership club for their highly-rated goalkeeper Scott Carson. The 19-year-old, who had been linked with a move to Liverpool, impressed when he deputised for Paul Robinson last season, but Neil Sullivan has been first choice this season.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments