By Akin
October 19 2003

Newcastle United have made clear their intentions in their pursuit of Patrick Kluivert after officials travelled to Spain this weekend to meet their Barcelona counterparts. Newcastle United have made clear ther intentions in their pursuit of Patrick Kluivert after officials travelled to Spain this weekend to meet their Barcelona counterparts.

A delegation from the Premiership outfit, including chairman Freddy Shepherd, were present to see Barca crash 2-0 at home to Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday night, and are reported to have held post-match talks with the Catalans' vice president Sandro Rosell.

Kluivert was reluctantly forced to take a pay cut to remain with the Catalans when he penned a revised deal in July that will see him under contract till 2005, however under the terms of his deal the player's release fee - which currently stands at €36 million (£25 million) - will drop to just €1.8 million (£1.2 million) at the end of the season. The club are understood to be prepared to part company with him before that clause is activated.

The Dutchman has never concealed his desire to try his hand in England, and has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea in the past, but a switch to Newcastle, and a reunion with Sir Bobby Robson who managed the striker during his stint with the Catalans, now appears the most feasible option.

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