Magpies eye Dunn swoop

By Matthew Jones
July 15 2002

Newcastle are set to test Blackburn's resolve by offering £10 million for England Under-21 midfielder David Dunn, according to reports.

Newcastle are set to test Blackburn's resolve by offering £10 million for England Under-21 midfielder David Dunn, according to reports.

Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson is a long-term admirer of the Blackburn-born youngster and speculation today suggests he is set to firm up his interest by making an official enquiry to the Rovers board.

Robson has already splashed out £8.5million on Portuguese international Hugo Viana, who is also a central midfielder, but the Sunday Mirror claim that the veteran manager sees Dunn as the ideal addition to his squad - a squad that already includes the likes of Viana, Kieron Dyer, Laurent Robert, Nolberto Solano and highly-rated 19-year-old Jermaine Jenas.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has fuelled the speculation by insisting that the club are looking to buy "top quality young players".

He said: "Our policy is to buy for the future and also find our own young Geordie talent.

"I think the players we have just signed, such as Jermaine Jenas, Hugo Viana and Titus Bramble, show the path we are going down."

Dunn enjoyed a brilliant first full season in the Premiership which lead to him being placed on standby for the England World Cup squad by Sven Goran Eriksson.

Speculation surrounding the 22-year-old is nothing new as Newcastle and Chelsea have been linked with moves to sign him several times over the last year.

However, Dunn has given no indication that he wishes to quit his home-town club and any offer made for the midfielder is likely to fall on deaf ears at Ewood Park.