Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce spent part of yesterday attempting to strike a deal for Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.

The Evening Chronicle says Toon director Kenneth Shepherd is in Spain to continue the Magpies' work in the transfer market this summer by speaking to the La Liga giants about Gudjohnsen.

The signing of the former Chelsea and Bolton star will cost United around the £7m mark with Barca keen to recoup as much as possible from the £8m fee they paid the London club 12 months ago, when Gudjohnsen signed a three-year deal and replaced Henrik Larsson.