By Matthew Jones
July 1 2002

United are closing in on Tenerife defender Frederico Lussenhoff - by offering his fellow Argentinian Christian Bassedas in exchange. Lusssenhoff is desperate to leave newly-relegated Tenerife and Bobby Robson is a long-term admirer of the 28-year-old. United are closing in on Tenerife defender Frederico Lussenhoff - by offering his fellow Argentinian Christian Bassedas in exchange.

Lusssenhoff is desperate to leave newly-relegated Tenerife and Bobby Robson is a long-term admirer of the 28-year-old.

But rather than a straight cash deal, Tenerife are said to be keen on swapping Lussenhoff for midfielder Bassedas, who spent the second half of last season on loan with them.

But while Bassedas has no first team future at Newcastle, he is thought to be against the idea of playing Spanish Second Division football with Tenerife.

Boca Juniors have been tipped to offer Bassedas a move back to Argentina but he is also not inclined to return to his homeland, where the economic situation remains dire.

So the prospect of Lussenhoff signing for Newcastle is not great, especially as United are interested in Irish defender Gary Breen.

Meanwhile, United are unlikely to firm up their interest in Uruguay striker Dario Silva.

There have been widespread suggestions that United are keen on the 29-year-old and are willing to pay up to £6million for his services.

But while Malaga insist they want £8million for Silva, St James' Park sources insist Bobby Robson will not be bidding to take the temperamental frontman to Tyneside.

With a Champions League campaign on the horizon, Robson is in the market for a new striker - but only as back-up for Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy and Carl Cort. And Silva is unlikely to be prepared to play second fiddle to anybody.