Magpies set to pull plug on Anelka and Boa Morte moves

NEWCASTLE are poised to call off their move for Fenerbahce striker Nicolas Anelka after refusing to meet the Turkish club’s valuation of the player.

Boss Graeme Souness expressed an interest in luring the Frenchman to St James' Park last week but the Magpies' initial bid fell well short of the required amount.

Now the deal has reached deadlock with chairman Freddy Shepherd insisting he is not in the mood to seek a compromise to lure the former Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester City star to St James' Park.

And he is also set to pull the plug on a move for Fulham striker Luis Boa Morte after the Londoners publicly rejected a Newcastle bid for the Portuguese star last week.

Shepherd said: "In the past perhaps we have been willing to bring in a player at any cost but we are not going to be anybody's mugs any more.

"They (the bids) are certainly not derisory and we won't be budging.

"If the clubs in question decide to pick the bids up, then great.

Newcastle have already spent £11million this summer on new signings Scott Parker from Chelsea and Emre from Inter but Souness wants at least three more players before the Premiership season starts.