Newcastle United are stepping up their talks for Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge.
Bridge is now available following City's capture of Arsenal fullback Gael Clichy.
The People says Toon boss Alan Pardew is interested in the 30-year-old former England man, but the player's £85,000-a-week wages are way out of his League.
But City chief executive Garry Cook and football administrator Brian Marwood have informed Newcastle they will pay part of Bridge's wages.
Pardew has had a £1.1m bid turned down for Swansea left back Neil Taylor and he sees Bridge as the experienced cover or replacement for Jose Enrique.
