BARCELONA are reported to have made a staggering £20 million offer in a bid to prise England skipper Alan Shearer away from Newcastle.
The Spanish giants see Shearer, whose £15 million move to Newcastle from Blackburn Rovers last year established a new world record, as the ideal replacement for Ronaldo who has been linked with a move to Italy.
But Newcastle are set to turn down Barcelona's bid with manager, Kenny Dalglish ready to rebuild the side he inherited from Kevin Keegan around Shearer.
Barcelona's move for Shearer comes amid speculation that Lazio or Juventus are poised to lure Ronaldo away with a £30 million offer. But Newcastle know any move to sell Shearer would be greeted with outrage by fans.
Keegan's resignation in January was a hammer blow that provoked widespread dismay and losing Shearer as well would be too much to bear.
Shearer is Newcastle's leading scorer despite missing two months of the season through injury. He made his comeback from a third groin operation in 10 months at the weekend, marking his return with the goal that earned Newcastle a 1-1 draw with Sunderland at St James's Park.
He had his latest operation after playing in England's 1-9 World Cup qualifying defeat against Italy at Wembley in February.
Meanwhile, Rangers should appoint Paul Gascoigne as their new skipper when Ibrox legend Richard Gough leaves for America to join Kansas City Wiz, former Rangers and Tottenham defender Graham Roberts has said.
Roberts insists Gascoigne would thrive on the added responsibility of being skipper, even though the England midfielder's recent, highly publicised antics have angered Ibrox management and fans alike.
If Manchester United get the best out of Eric Canton a by raising his profile on the field then it would definitely work with Gazza, said Roberts, now manager of nonleague Yeovil.
Roberts, who gave his views in yesterday's issue of the Rangers News, feels being skipper would bring about a "marked difference" in maverick Gascoigne, who will be 30 in May.
Gascoigne is expected to make a first team return for Rangers at Raith Rovers next Tuesday.
