Micah Richards has turned down more money at Newcastle United as he waits to sign a new contract with Manchester City.

The Times says Richards would have earned £70,000 a week had he moved to Newcastle United, but he would almost certainly put pen to paper if City raised their present offer to £55,000.

So far the talks have stalled, with City saying they are not prepared to break their pay structure, but Sven-Goran Eriksson, the manager, does not want to lose such a prodigious talent. Richards, 19, currently earns £15,000 a week.

City have offered £47,000 a week but Richards, who has two years left on his existing deal, has been biding his time and talking the matter over with his father.