NEWCASTLE are poised to complete the club record signing of Colombian Faustino Asprilla next week. According to Italian sources, the Premiership leaders are understood to have agreed terms with Parma to complete the £6.7 million signing of the 26 year old striker.

Although Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan and his assistant Terry McDermott returned to Newcastle to lead the team's training session yesterday, it is believed vice chairman Freddie Shepherd and fellow director Douglas Hall stayed in Italy to hold further discussions with the Serie A club.

A Parma delegation, including general director Gianbatista Pastorello, went to Rome ahead of today's meeting of all top flight Italian clubs with UEFA president Lennard Johnnssen to discuss the implications of the recent Bosman ruling.

The source explained: "As far as we know, and Parma are not confirming it at present, they met with Newcastle's representatives this afternoon. There was a hint yesterday that Parma had decided they did not want to sell the player, but that is simply not true.

"We think be will actually signs the contract next week after he has played a farewell game for Parma on Sunday, and that he'll be a Newcastle player far the first weekend in February.

The only sticking point at this stage appears to be exactly how Newcastle will pay the massive fee. When Parma sold Sweden international Tomas Brolin to Leeds at the end of last year, the £4.5 million fee was spread over three payments.

Parma may want just two instalments, but with Asprilla having a wild reputation, Newcastle may not want to pay as much as half the fee up front.