Newcastle have agreed a £10million fee with Inter Milan for Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins. The player's representative has been on Tyneside and has now returned to Italy to discuss the offer with his client.

Martins yesterday revealed that a deal was 80 per cent done, and Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd and manager Glenn Roeder will hope to finalise the transfer as they attempt to find a replacement for retired captain Alan Shearer.

Roeder has turned to the Inter Milan striker after being warned off Germany forward Miroslav Klose.

Martins himself seems keen to head for England, with the 21-year-old saying yesterday: "I'm close to moving to Newcastle despite all the initial setbacks. Eighty per cent of the deal with Newcastle is completed.

"Playing in the Premiership has been a long-term ambition and I am extremely delighted with the prospect of concluding that in the next couple of days."

Shepherd may have more cash to play with should misfit Jean-Alain Boumsong complete a proposed £4.5million move to Juventus.