The dealings begin..charitable of the board to give them some money up front, mind you wouldn't they normally give them some money up front!!

AT LAST, IT'S BASSEDAS by Nic Evans

CHRISTIAN BASSEDAS has flown into England to complete his deal with Newcastle along with Velez Sarsfield's President, Eduardo Mousseaud, as five months of waiting finally come to an end.

"They say the Premiership is spectacular. I must live it," said Bassedas. "I always dreamed about this. Perhaps I should have gone before but as I am a little vague, I am going to have to learn better English."

On Monday Bassedas started his arduous journey from Buenos Aires to Newcastle and upon his arrival he will go through a medical whilst Sarsfield's vice-president, Juan Carlos Gonzalez, who travelled on to Germany for personal reasons, will meet up to finish the financial aspects of the deal.

If the deal goes through the Argentinian international will return to his home country, before returning to join up with Magpies' manager, Bobby Robson's pre-season plans.

Bassedas revealed what his club could do with the transfer fee they received from his sale. He said: "Now, with the money which they will receive, they will be able to pay my companions. I hope that this money serves to pay the debt."

Sarsfield are reportedly #4 million in debt and have been unable to fully pay their players for some time, the sale of Bassedas has been confirmed to allow them to pay what they owe off and included a #1.1 million payment upfront to fend off the creditors.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2000