Magpies linked with swoop for Phillips

Press Watch

Newcastle United could solve the problem created by Craig Bellamy's untimely injury and doubts over the effectiveness of the £7m Carl Cort with a surprise move for Sunderland's Kevin Phillips, according to the Sunday People, which claims to have "uncovered details of a daring £12m raid".

This would scupper Tottenham's plans for a £15m double summer swoop for Phillips and Brighton's Bobby Zamora, reported by the Mail on Sunday, which says Glenn Hoddle is also keen on Heerenveem's Marcus Allback.

The Sunday Mirror reckons Newcastle are lining up a move for the Rangers midfield prospect Stephen Hughes, and reports a planned £11m bid from Liverpool for the Rangers captain, Barry Ferguson, along with a suggestion that Jamie Redknapp, Vladimir Smicer and Patrik Berger are likely to leave Anfield in a summer clear-out.

The News of the World reckons Liverpool have been impressed enough with Nicolas Anelka to be ready to take on the former Arsenal striker on a permanent deal. The Mirror also links Liverpool with a possible move for Sheffield United's 18-year-old midfield prospect Michael Tonge. While the Sunday Express predicts a clear-out at failing Leeds, with Gary Kelly, Michael Duberry, Stephen McPhail and Jason Wilcox likely to be sacrificed, the Mail on Sunday says Lee Bowyer is ready to commit himself to a five-year contract at Elland Road.

The Express, however, names Bowyer along with Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell and Olivier Dacourt as possible big-name casualties as Leeds bid to claw back some of David O'Leary's transfer spending.

The Mirror's claim that Blackburn Rovers are moving towards a £2.5m signing for Aston Villa's Steve Stone is supported by the People, which says Stone has already agreed to move and reckons the Villa manager, Graham Taylor, wants to spend a substantial chunk of the transfer kitty reportedly promised by Doug Ellis on bringing Dwight Yorke back to Villa Park from Manchester United. The News of the World maintains that Taylor is looking at an £8m double bid for Crewe strike pair Dean Ashton and Rob Hulse.

The People says Middlesbrough are paying £4m to land the Independiente striker Vicente Vuoso, while the Mirror insists that Arsenal are likely to allow Nwankwo Kanu to join Real Madrid for £5m.

DIFFERENCES OF OPINION

SUNDAY PEOPLE

Manchester United yesterday handed Roy Keane an £85,000-a-week deal. Keane became the highest paid player in United's history with a four-season deal worth £15m.

MAIL ON SUNDAY

Roy Keane has signed a four-year deal worth £90,000 a week to stay at Manchester United until 2006.

SUNDAY MIRROR

Roy Keane has become the Premiership's first £100,000-a-week footballer after signing a new contract worth a staggering £20.8m.