Beattie Deal Dropped - For Now


By Martyn Osmond
July 4 2004

James Beattie's alleged move to the Toon appears to have been put to the back-burner as boss Sir Bobby concentrates on more pressing matters, such as the search for a new Right-Back, and the imminent signing of Nicky Butt. Any move for Beattie will not take place this summer, according to Chairman Freddy Sheperd. Speaking in this morning's (Sunday) papers, Sheperd had the following to say:

"I don't know where it is coming from. We have had no contact with Southampton and have made no bid for Beattie."

The messages from Beattie's camp are much the same. "There's absolutely nothing happening," Beattie's agent Jon Smith told the Sunday Sun.

The Sunday Sun also quotes a 'high ranking Newcastle source' as having said: "Talk of us making a bid for James Beattie is total rubbish. We are not in contact with the player or his club.

"A passing verbal enquiry was made a year ago at boardroom level, but not a word has been spoken since."

Although the move appears to be off for now, many Toon fans would not be surprised to see Beattie in Black and White in January or even next summer.

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