Sportal are carrying the following story tonight:

Newcastle could be ready to swoop for Chinese international Sun Jihai as Bobby Robson continues his rebuilding work.

Dalian Shide president Xu Ming has claimed United chairman Freddy Shepherd would fly out to the Far East at the end of the month with a view to clinching a £2 million deal for the 24-year-old former Crystal Palace player.

The right-back had a 10-day trial at St James' Park in November 2000 and impressed Robson, but the two clubs could not agree on a fee. But now it appears the deal could be resurrected.

"Newcastle president Freddy Shepherd will arrive at Dalian on the 22nd of this month to negotiate Sun's move" said Xu Ming. "They held talks with us on Sun's move last season, but we failed to achieve an agreement as there was great difference between us on the transfer fee. We will not cut down a player's price just because we would like them to move abroad." Jihai joined Palace from Dalian Wanda in September 1998 but returned home as Palace's financial problems worsened.

Robson liked what he saw in Jihai's brief spell on Tyneside, saying at the time: "He's like Mick Mills who played right-back or left-back for me at Ipswich and it didn't really make any difference. Jihai would be a real asset. We were only allowed to take a look at him for a maximum of 10 days, but he was fine and we liked what we saw."

Let's just hope this isn't another of Wadsworth's Follies!

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Answers

You beat me to it Clarky! See my view about this 'great' signing above.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Well, to be honest, RB (and LB) is a spot we need extra cover. It seems likely that Barton has played his last game for the first team (so just watch him play against Leds on Saturday!) and Griffin has constantly proved he's not fit enough to hold down a regular place. If YBR really did like what he saw, then I'll trust him. What was that you said Lynda about Wayne Quinn? I hope it was one of Clarky's description.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

what are you daft old bu99ers doing up , its 9 in the morning here and 30 degrees already. Missing going to the match like hell at the moment. Say hi to everyone in the Strawberry and SJP for me tomorra. As for the chinese right back - well yer knaaaaaa. Championship my @rse !

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

the chinese mick mills. whatever next

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

the Moroccan Des Hamilton?

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

If its anything to go on Sun Jihai was an excellent buy for my Toon squad in Championship Manager, along with Walter Samuel.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Can't say I've heard a lot about this Sun bloke, although a Chinese friend tells me we should sign him. However, this friend is a Man Utd fan, he won't accept he is meant to support the Beijing Dragons or whoever the local Chinese team was.

Walter Samuel is always one hell of a buy.

Spends half his time suspended but he has the best tackling average out of anyone I've ever bought. Scored 8 goals as well which isn't bad for a centre back.

Surprisingly enough, I'd never heard of him before Championship Manager.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Tieme Klompe - now there's a CM centre-back!

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

This Chinese bloke would be of great PR value in China.............money and a decent FB !!

Thats good buisness. Then this summer we will go for a tour in China and he will play the games.....money in the bank !

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002