Obafemi poised to join Shola

Obashola Martinobi?

From BBC Football:

Inter Milan striker Obafemi Martins said he is about to secure a move to Premiership side Newcastle United.

"I'm close to moving to Newcastle despite all the initial setbacks," the 21-year-old Nigeria international told BBC Sport on Monday.

"Eighty percent of the deal with Newcastle is completed."

Martins has been unsettled since the club brought in Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Argentine Hernan Crespo to strengthen their forward line.

Martins's agent Patrick Bastianelli met United officials over the weekend to complete transfer negotiations.

A fee of £10.9m (US$20.6m) is said to have been agreed between both sides.
Martins said Newcastle's determination to sign him had played a major part in his decision to join the Magpies.

"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," he added.

Meanwhile our Irish contingent of Given, Carr, O'Brien and Duff have been called up once again for the Euro 2008 qualifiers next month.