Magpies have £5million Distin bid rejected
Friday, 7 January 2005 17:49Manchester City have rejected a £5million bid from Newcastle for captain Sylvain Distin.
The 27-year-old Frenchman has been in good form for Kevin Keegan's side this season. Distin joined City from Paris St Germain in a £4million deal in May 2002, after a loan spell at St James' Park.
Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has expressed his interest in the player previously as he seeks to shore up his side's leaky defence.
"I can confirm that Newcastle have made a formal approach for Sylvain Distin with a bid in the region of £5million," said City communications chief Paul Tyrrell.
"We have rejected the bid as Sylvain is not for sale. He has two and a half years left on his current contract and is staying here," he added.
Souness wants to sign Boa Morte
Meanwhile, Souness has revealed that he is trying to sign Fulham's Portuguese international striker Luis Boa Morte during the transfer window.
The Scot, who today unveiled transfer-window signings Jean-Alain Boumsong and Celestine Babayaro, is eager to add a striker to his line-up as injuries to Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert have hindered the Magpies.
"We have declared an interest in him," he said. "The chairman is still working hard to bring at least one more body in before this window goes, but there is nothing I can tell you about that."
It is understood the Magpies are prepared to enter into a play-plus-cash deal to secure Boa Morte's services with contract rebel Olivier Bernard, Titus Bramble and Lee Bowyer among those who could be up for grabs.
