Newcastle launch bid for Bothroyd
Published 23:00 13/01/11 By Simon Bird and John Cross
England striker Jay Bothroyd is in talks with Newcastle over a January switch.
The 28-year-old Cardiff star is one of Alan Pardew's top targets and the Geordies want to offer him another crack at the Premier League.
Bothroyd is out of contract in the summer and attracting a host of clubs, including Everton, but Newcastle believe they have a strong chance of luring him to the north-east.
The player is holding all the aces as he could land a bumper deal as a free transfer in the summer, so only a top offer will tempt him to quit Cardiff in mid-season.
But Newcastle have made their move and hope to resume negotiations after this weekend's derby clash with Sunderland.
Bothroyd, who is currently paid around £10,000 a week, will hope to triple his wages with his next move and there is a battle on for his signature.
He was called into the England squad for the friendly against France in November appearing as a second half substitute - ironically coming on for Newcastle No9 Andy Carroll.
The arrival of Bothroyd will intensify speculation about Carroll's future - especially if Spurs step up their £22million pursuit of the Geordie.
Carroll did a light session at Newcastle's training ground yesterday after returning from a week in Dubai, where he rested his injured thigh.
He is extremely doubtful to face Sunderland but fitness tests today, when the full squad return to training, will determine whether his leads the charge at the Stadium of Light.
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