Shearer cost Newcastle Woodgate deal

Jan 27 2008 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

ALAN SHEARER’S decision not to become Kevin Keegan’s No 2 cost Newcastle the chance to sign Jonathan Woodgate.

That is the shock reason the Sunday Sun can reveal for Woodgate’s decision to move to Tottenham rather than return to United.

Newcastle thrashed out a proposed £7 million deal for Middlesbrough defender Woodgate on Friday.

But Woodgate will instead move to White Hart Lane – having agreed personal terms and undergone a medical there yesterday – if Spurs and Boro can agree a fee for him.

And Woodgate’s father last night revealed Shearer’s snub to Keegan as the deciding factor in his son rejecting a return to Tyneside.

“The only way he would have gone to Newcastle is if Shearer was No 2 to Kevin Keegan,” Alan Woodgate told us.

“He is going to Tottenham. I have driven him to the station to go down there today for a medical and talks.

“Provided it all goes OK, the deal should be finalised over the weekend.”