Toon fail in Ruud bid

Aug 17 2008 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE have failed in a sensational bid for Ruud van Nistelrooy — but are intent on pulling off an equally stunning signing in the next fortnight.

Kevin Keegan last night admitted he hopes to bring in FOUR more players before the transfer window closes on August 31.

United owner Mike Ashley is hellbent on one of them being a superstar capable of boosting flagging ticket sales at St James’s Park.

And sources in Spain last night confirmed that Newcastle approached both Van Nistelrooy and Real Madrid in an attempt to land the Dutch striker following the Euro 2008 finals.

But with their recruitment duo of Jeff Vetere and Tony Jimenez being told that there was no chance of a deal, Newcastle became one of five clubs in England and Italy to make a thwarted approach for Van Nistelrooy this summer.

However, Ashley and Keegan are still aiming high, with Van Nistelrooy’s Madrid team-mate Javier Saviola on their radar.

And Newcastle have also made an approach for yet another Argentinian — Real Mallorca striker Oscar Trejo.

West Brom maintain hopes of landing Trejo, 20, as well as his club-mate Borja Valero.

But Mallorca’s sporting director Nando Pons said: “Newcastle have contacted directly with us and the answer is the same one we gave to West Bromwich Albion: we will not sell.”

Keegan, on the eve of his side’s Premier League opener at Manchester United, said: “I think we will get at least two more signings here, maybe three and, who knows, possibly four.”