Bellamy moving to Birmingham

Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy was tonight on the verge of a securing his escape from Tyneside after the Magpies agreed a £6m (€8.6m) fee with Barclays Premiership rivals Birmingham.

City have been given permission to talk to the 25-year-old Welshman hours after United manager Graeme Souness confirmed he would never pick the player again as long as Souness was at St James’ Park.

“We have agreed a fee of £6million with Birmingham for the transfer of Craig Bellamy and Birmingham have been given permission to talk to the player,” said a club spokesman.

Bellamy had faced a bleak future in Newcastle's reserves until Birmingham stepped in with their offer.

Souness had confirmed today that Bellamy, who branded the Scot a liar following a bust-up, will never play for him again.

Souness said: “He can’t play for me ever again. He can’t go on television and accuse me of telling lies.

“I’m not going to dwell on it, but I think in most walks of life that would be the case.

“I’ve covered it in my programme notes tomorrow for the game and people can read my side of the story and maybe make their judgement on it.”