Magpies confirm bids for Anelka and Boa Morte

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness stepped up his bid to strengthen his squad yesterday ahead of the start of the Premiership season by making formal offers for Nicolas Anelka and Luis Boa Morte.

Souness, whose side play Dubnica in the Intertoto Cup second leg at St James’ Park today, refused to discuss exact details of the bid for Anelka but admitted: “I understand we have been in contact with the club and we will see what reaction we get.”

Fenerbahce slapped a £10million price tag on the former Arsenal and Man City star this week and a deal at that kind of price would be unthinkable to the Magpies.