Juventus seal swoop for Magpies misfit Boumsong

NEWCASTLE have confirmed the departure of France defender Jean-Alain Boumsong to Italian giants Juventus.

The 26-year-old, who was signed last year from Rangers, is set to play in Serie B rather than the top flight of Italian football after Juventus’ relegation in the aftermath of the match-fixing scandal.

The deal is initially worth around £3.3 million (€4.8 million), which means the club have made a loss on the player bought by Graeme Souness from Rangers for £8m (€11m).

Boumsong, who has signed a four-year contract at Juve, endured a run of bad form after arriving at St James’ Park and made a number of noticeable errors.

He did earn a place in France’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, although he did not play in Germany as his country reached the final.

Juventus will play a friendly against Newcastle at St James’ Park next year as part of the deal.

Newcastle are awaiting an answer from Inter Milan striker Obafemi Martins after agreeing a £10m (€14m) fee with his club. The player’s agent, Patrick Bastianelli, has spent time at St James’ Park and returned to Italy to discuss the deal with the Nigerian. Martins revealed on Monday that he was close to agreeing a move to St James’ Park, but the Magpies are taking nothing for granted.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd said: “We have agreed a £10m fee with Inter Milan for Martins and now it is up to the player and his agent.”

The move comes a day after the Belgravia Group signalled their interest in a potential takeover at Newcastle.

A successful completion of the Martins deal would go a long way to plugging the gap left by the retired Alan Shearer and provide Glenn Roeder with the added firepower as he contemplates Michael Owen’s extended absence.

It is understood Newcastle are still in talks with Real Madrid over midfielder Thomas Gravesen, while Wayne Bridge’s situation is complicated with Ashley Cole still hopeful of a move to Stamford Bridge. Celtic and Everton have expressed an interest in the Dane, while Aston Villa have emerged as potential competitors, and the outcome of Chelsea’s pursuit of Arsenal full-back Cole could determine Bridge’s availability.