4:57pm Tuesday 5th June 2007
By Gavin Gibbon
NEWCASTLE United are weighing up a move to scupper Mark Hughes' bid to sign striker Shabani Nonda.
Reports on Tyneside suggest new Toon manager Sam Allardyce is keen to recruit the DR Congo international, who spent last season on loan at Ewood Park.
United were keeping tabs on Nonda last season under Glenn Roeder and, although Allardyce will have his own ideas in the transfer market, the player is still in the Magpies' sights.
A source close to the club said: "Nonda would offer some physical presence and strength."
Hughes has signalled his intention to take the 30-year-old on a more permanent arrangement from Italian giants Roma.
And he is prepared to pay the £2 million price tag for Nonda, which was agreed within the initial terms of the loan.
Despite an erratic first season in the Premiership, scoring just eight goals in 35 appearances, Hughes believes there is plenty more to come from the former prolific Monaco frontman.
He said: "I think he is one of those players that next year will come through.
"He'll be a lot stronger and we're going to try and sign him if we can."
Midfielder Jason Koumas is another player whose future is still to be decided.
And the Welsh inter-national, who is attracting interest from Everton, Celtic and Aston Villa, as well as Rovers, has revealed he won't be making his mind up about where he will be playing next season for at least another fortnight.
The 27-year-old will also have talks with Baggies boss Tony Mowbray and chairman Jeremy Peace although it is almost certain he will leave the Championship side.
He said: "I'll have a break and decide what I'm going to do in a couple of weeks.
"You wouldn't believe how much I want to have a break now and then decide what I'm going to do in the summer. I've got a lot of thinking to do. I'll have a meeting with the manager and the chairman and see what is happening."
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