Bellamy chooses Blackburn Rovers

Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy today sprang a major surprise when he opted for a move to Blackburn.

The 25-year-old Welshman, who has been vigorously pursued by Champions League qualifiers Everton, Scottish Cup winners Celtic and Aston Villa, is understood to have decided to renew his relationship with former Wales boss Mark Hughes at Ewood Park, subject to a medical.

His transfer would mark a major coup for Rovers.

Bellamy’s decision brings an end to a saga which has been running since his infamous bust-up with Magpies boss Graeme Souness, ironically the man who made way for Hughes at Blackburn when he took up his post at St James’ Park last September.

The former Norwich and Coventry striker spent the second half of last season on loan at Celtic after being told he would never play for Souness again following a television tirade in which he branded the Scot a liar.

Meanwhile Newcastle today confirmed they have tabled an official bid for Inter Milan’s Turkish international Emre Belozoglu.

The club have held several rounds of talks with the 24-year-old former Galatasaray midfielder and have now approached Inter as they attempt to capture him ahead of Premiership rivals Everton and another unnamed English club.

“We have been talking to the player with Inter’s permission and we have now tabled an offer,” chairman Freddy Shepherd told the club’s official website, www.nufc.co.uk.

“We are now waiting for Inter to come back to us with their response.”