Luque Deal Ends

Last updated : 23 August 2005 By Footy Mad - Editor

As we reported last night, Freddy Shepherd has had his "final" bid for striker Albert Luque rejected by Deportivo La Coruna.

It was all looking good, and manager Graeme Souness confirmed over the weekend the Magpies had agreed terms with the player who, according to the Scot, "has his heart set on joining us".

However - ENTER FREDDY SHEPHERD - to tie up the deal, and guess what? Deportivo blasted the chairman, and Souness has admitted the Spanish club had rejected what will be Newcastle's "final" offer.

Souness has seen his shopping list for a top striker ripped up by Shepherd, and the managers's efforts in the pursuit of Michael Owen, Nicolas Anelka, Luis Boa Morte, Robbie Keane and Mark Viduka have been unsuccessful, despite (in each and every case) Souness saying he was "hopefull" of signing them.