Ameobi move under threat

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi’s proposed move to Ipswich could fall through as he waits for a Barclays Premier League lifeline.

It is understood the Suffolk club is ready to look elsewhere after waiting in vain for an answer over the £3.5m package they have agreed with the Magpies to take the 26-year-old to Portman Road.

Ameobi has already rejected a £4m move to promoted Stoke, where he spent part of last season on loan after failing to force his way into Kevin Keegan’s plans.

It remains to be seen if another club will offer him the chance to play top-flight football, although he is certainly in demand in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Norwich boss Glenn Roeder, who worked with the Nigeria-born player during his time at St James’ Park, is a big admirer, but has limited transfer funds at his disposal.

However, with the Magpies ready to cash in on their Academy graduate, his days on Tyneside look numbered.

Ameobi has made 230 senior appearances, 95 of them as a substitute, for the club, scoring 46 goals.

A return of between £3.5m and £4m for a player they brought through the ranks would represent a healthy return for Newcastle as they attempt to re-shape their squad.

Executive director (football) Dennis Wise and vice-president (player recruitment) Tony Jimenez are currently attempting to implement the transfer plans they drew up with Keegan at the end of last season.

However, with owner Mike Ashley keen to balance the books after investing around £100m to address the club’s debt burden following his successful £134.4m takeover last year, any additional income would be welcome.

The departures of Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage, James Troisi, Lamine Diatta and Emre’s impending move to Fenerbahce have significantly reduced the wage bill, while Joey Barton’s situation remains unresolved following his imprisonment.

In addition, James Milner’s future is the subject of intense speculation with Liverpool leading attempts to prise him away from St James’ Park.

The Magpies summarily rejected a swap deal involving three Anfield reserve team players, but speculation in the north-west suggests their interest is ongoing.

Keegan is still on holiday as Wise and Jimenez go about their business, but apart from formalising a £10million offer for St Etienne striker Bafetimbi Gomis, which remains on the table, much of their work has been veiled in secrecy.

Meanwhile, the city’s evening newspaper, the Evening Chronicle, has reported that the club’s players will have to pay for their own suits next season as Ashley attempts to cut unnecessary expenditure.