Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate is mulling over whether to join Newcastle United or Tottenham.
Boro had already reached agreement on that fee with Spurs and Woodgate spoke to both suitors yesterday.
Staying at Boro remains a possibility. A move to Spurs - who are still hopeful midfielder Tiago will join from Juventus - would mean Woodgate becoming one of their top earners given his £65,000-a-week wages at The Riverside.
But matching such wages would not be a problem for Newcastle, with billionaire owner Mike Ashley willing to back Kevin Keegan's decision to offer Woodgate a return to St James' Park.
Keegan said: "He's one of a number of players we've talked about. I'm not surprised others are interested. He's a great leader. He's 28 and I gave him his England debut and know him well."