By Matthew Jones
October 20 2003

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will hold talks with Patrick Kluivert to decide whether the Dutch striker has a future at the club. This follows on from Barca president Joan Laporta confirming to Spanish media over the weekend that Newcastle United had made an enquiry about the striker. Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will hold talks with Patrick Kluivert to decide whether the Dutch striker has a future at the club.

This follows on from Barca president Joan Laporta confirming to Spanish media over the weekend that Newcastle United had made an enquiry about the striker - who has failed to score a league goal this season - and is having a hard time from the fans.

Laporta and Rijkaard are both saying that they want to keep the 27-year-old, but the coach is keen to establish whether the player himself wants to stay and fight for his future.

Rijkaard told Catalan television on Sunday: "It's true there is interest in signing Kluivert.

"I do have confidence in Patrick's talent. He's a great player but he's suffering a lot in the Nou Camp. When he runs out, it seems the crowd are waiting for his first miss and that's negative for him and for the team.

"I want to speak with Patrick to see how he feels and what it is he wants. Depending on what he tells me, we'll see whether it's better for him to go or stay."

Kluivert opted to stay at Barcelona this season, despite having a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for just 1.8 million euros ($2.10 million). That clause will be reactivated at the end of the current season, but Laporta could look to sell him for a higher fee before then, or offer him a fresh deal.

Laporta said: "We're not interested in selling Kluivert. If a serious offer came in we would study it, though. That's only logical.

"Newcastle came here to invite us to play in a pre-season tournament and, while they were here, they asked us about Kluivert's situation.

"We didn't give them permission to speak to him. Kluivert is a top-class striker and right now we're short of goals."

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AS REPORTED HERE, Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd IS in Spain and IS talking to Barcelona officials about the signing of Patrick Kluivert.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that St James' Park officials flew to Spain over the weekend to open talks over the possible transfer of Patrick Kluivert. Barca were approached by Newcastle to participate in a summer tournament - which was presented as the reason for chairman Freddy Shepherd's visit to Catalunya on Saturday.

However, Laporta has confirmed that Newcastle have held talks regarding Kluivert.

HE SAID: "I have total confidence in Kluivert, as has the technical body of the team.

"On the subject of Newcastle, they came to invite us to play in a quadrangular match next summer and step on from that, they asked for the situation about Patrick.

"We did not give permission for them to negotiate with the player.

"Kluivert is a forward of the top level and we need him to score goals, which has been lacking.

"If an offer is made we will study it and we will meet with the club so that it can be considered."

Barcelona are believed to be keen to keep the 27-year-old striker, but his current contract situation is complicating matters. Kluivert is on a deal with Barca until 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) in June.

Barca staff know that they cannot afford to let Kluivert leave on his release clause of just over a £1 million in the summer and so they either need to sell him in January when the transfer window re-opens, or preferable for them, negotiate a new contract.

Sources in Spain are suggesting that Newcastle's bid may be doomed to failure as Kluivert is not keen on a switch to the North East. Spanish reports have also stated that only Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea would have a chance of bringing him to England.

Newcastle will return to Spain in December to seek further talks (as requested by Laporta) as Sir Bobby seems to see Kluivert as the long-term replacement for Alan Shearer.

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