Parker hails Magpies move

Scott Parker today insisted “this is the club for me” after agreeing to join Newcastle in a £6.5m transfer from Chelsea.

The 24-year-old midfielder underwent a medical at St James’ Park this morning and was set to be unveiled at a 5pm press conference after agreeing personal terms.

Parker said: “This is the club for me. I know that other clubs were keen on me, but as soon as I heard Newcastle were interested, there was only one place I was going.

“I know some people say that Newcastle may have underachieved last year, but they got the semi-final of the FA Cup and the last eight of the UEFA Cup, and in my eyes – and a lot of people’s eyes – this is still a massive club.

“The stature of this club is massive and I really have a high regard for the manager, Graeme Souness.

“He is one of the reasons I have decided to come here. He has been unbelievable in all of this and so too has the chairman,” he told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

Parker was also a target for Tottenham and Everton, who made a late bid to snatch him from Newcastle’s grasp, but he has now become Souness’ first summer signing and the Magpies are hopeful more will follow.

However, his transfer may well cause more friction between Chelsea and Tottenham as the player was expected to be included in any compensation package thrashed out between the two clubs over Frank Arnesen’s controversial move from White Hart Lane to Stamford Bridge.

Spurs wanted £5m in compensation plus Parker to allow the Dane to make the move across London. The deal would have also prevented Spurs from making a formal complaint to the Premier League over what they consider to have been an illegal approach for their sporting director.

The two clubs remain in dialogue this week but without Parker on the negotiating table, the repercussions could be costly.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd was given permission to speak to the 24-year-old at the weekend after both Everton and Spurs dropped out of the running.

Parker is understood to bank around £55,000 a week at Stamford Bridge but United were ready to match his wages.

Parker cost Chelsea £10m in January 2004 but never suited the system played by Jose Mourinho. Mourinho preferred former Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele for the midfield holding role and as a result Parker’s first-team appearances were limited.

His situation was further compounded by a broken bone in his foot which sidelined him for much of the season as the Blues soared to their first top-flight title in 50 years.

Parker will not be the only arrival on Tyneside with Belozoglu Emre ready to follow him. The likelihood of the Turkish international’s capture increased when Laurent Robert’s departed for Portsmouth.

Inter Milan midfielder Emre is also interesting Everton, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool but the Magpies appear to be favourites to sign him.

With Souness short on funds after a disappointing season, the 52-year-old Scot has been keen to move on players who do not fit into his future plans.

Republic of Ireland international Andy O’Brien became the second defender sold by Newcastle this summer when his move to Fratton Park was completed yesterday.

The centre-back follows friend Aaron Hughes through the St James’s exit. Hughes joined Aston Villa for £1.5m last month.

Another who could be making the move away from St James’ Park this summer is midfielder Lee Bowyer who has been given permission to talk to Birmingham.