Woodgate close to Spurs switch

JONATHAN WOODGATE should complete his €12million move to Tottenham Hotspur within 24 hours after passing a medical at the club’s Chigwell training ground yesterday.

The Middlesbrough defender had been expected to join Newcastle before the weekend and officials from the Tyneside club were confident they would unveil the player today.

But Woodgate, 28, appears to have had a dramatic change of heart on Saturday. The England centre-half, who spent an injury-plagued two-year spell on Tyneside before leaving for Real Madrid in 2005, is believed to have told Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan before his team’s match with Arsenal that the lure of European football and a possible Carling Cup winner’s medal with Spurs were too strong to resist.

The north Londoners, who are also closing in on a deal for Gilberto, the Hertha Berlin left-back, are believed to have offered Woodgate a three-and-a-half-year contract with a salary that makes him one of the best-paid players at White Hart Lane. Juande Ramos, the manager, refused to comment after their FA Cup defeat at Manchester United yesterday but it would be a surprise if Woodgate did not make his debut at Everton on Wednesday.

For Newcastle, the failure to persuade Woodgate to move to St James’ Park represents a major disappointment. Keegan will now turn his attentions elsewhere. Daniel van Buyten, the Bayern Munich defender, is a possible alternative.

“I would have been happy to have just got Woodgate,” he said. “I think Tottenham can offer him the chance to play in a cup final because I don’t think he’s cup-tied. Spurs are definitely in Europe this year and the only way we’re going to get into Europe is if we get on a ferry.”

Middlesbrough will use the cash generated by Woodgate’s departure to fund their long-awaited move for Afonso Alves. The Brazilian striker, who currently plays for Heerenveen, will cost around €15.75m.