Amidst claims of alleged boardroom unrest between Kevin Keegan and club owner Mike Ashley, reports are surfacing that the Tyneside club are ready to splash the cash on another of their major transfer targets…

The Sunday Sun is reporting that Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has targeted Julio Baptista as the ideal man to partner Danny Guthrie in the centre of midfield come the new season. It is being said that Baptista, who has been linked to the Magpies before, is also keen on a move to England - providing that the terms are attractive, and that a deal can be agreed with his club Real Madrid.

Madrid are thought to want something in excess of £12m (€15m) for the Brazilian hitman, whose nickname is “The Beast”.  Baptista had spent a season on loan at Arsenal, and had performed reasonably well. In that regard, although he may not be considered as a “proven” premiership player, he does seem like a good prospect nonetheless.

However, the merengues’ steep asking price may prove to be a hurdle to any deal going through as news from St. James’ Park indicates that manager Keegan may not bid any amount over £7m (€8.8m) The club is also said to be in talks with Liverpool for Argentine left-back Emilio Insua, and are also reportedly prepared to move for Deportivo La Coruna defender Fabricio Coloccini with a £6 bid. The club is also keen to wrap up a deal for French centre-back Sebastien Bassong who has impressed on trial since arriving from Metz last week.

These reports are somewhat substantiated by Keegan’s recent comments that the club will be signing 2-3 players as early as the next two weeks, and may act as a peace offering to the club’s extensive fan base who have grown impatient at the club’s lack of transfer activity.

Ref From Mehzeb Chowdhury - goal.com

Middlesbrough and West Bromich Albion have joined the race for Levante winger Mustapha Riga.

The 26-year old has gone eight months unpaid at the Spanish club, who have been struggling with their increasingly unstable finances, prompting the former Vitesse Arnhem man to consider using FIFA’s article 14.

The legislation allows players to cancel their contract with a club if there is ‘just cause’, and Riga’s predicament would certainly fall into that category.

Bolton Wanderers have been linked with a swoop for the former Holland under 21 international, but the player’s availability has alerted Boro boss Gareth Southgate and his counterpart at The Baggies, Tony Mowbray.

Riga has made public his desire to complete a move to the Premier League, having rejected the opportunity in the past.

“The Premier League has always been a dream,” Riga admitted to the Sunday Sun. “I’ve rejected other chances, now I don’t want to miss this chance.”

The three English clubs could yet face competition from sides around Europe, due to the lack of fee involved in any potential move for the player.

Ref From Will Wood - goal.com