Manchester City are launching a £4.5 million bid for Newcastle United midfielder Kieron Dyer.
Dyer was expected to play for Newcastle at home to Celtic in a friendly last night.
But he was pulled out by new Toon boss Sam Allardyce in case a freak injury wrecked the move. Dyer spent the match in the stands.
Allardyce said: "We were just protecting our asset. There is a big value in him so I'm protecting him."
It is understood Dyer could travel to Manchester today for a medical before the surprise switch is rubber-stamped.