LUIS BOA MORTE'S transfer to Newcastle could be back on.

Manager Graeme Souness made a tentative approach for the Fulham striker a fortnight ago only to be told by his Craven Cottage counterpart Chris Coleman he was not for sale.

Despite Coleman's rebuff the United boss was still confident he could get his man after Boa Morte claimed he was keen on a move to Tyneside after interest was declared.

The Portuguese international has since penned a new three-year contract which will keep him at the west London club until 2008 - or so they think.

The new deal, however, looks to be worthless after admitting he does not know whether he will still be at the club next season. "You never know what is around the corner," confessed the former Arsenal and Southampton striker. "I know I'll be here until the end of the season.

"Newcastle are a big club and of course I would have been happy to join them but things did not work out. I had a good chat with our manager. What was discussed will stay between me, Chris Coleman and Newcastle. I have got big ambitions, I am only 27.

"Fulham turned down an offer from a big club and hopefully if a big club came next time . . . but I am not going to worry about that now.

"I signed until 2008 so I am going to speak like a Fulham player. I am pleased to have signed and I enjoy my football here."

Meanwhile, Steven Taylor continued his first team development with yet another impressive show against Southampton on Saturday.

While the Magpies contrived to throw away a home victory against the second worst side in the Premiership, the teenager displayed a refreshing maturity lacking in his more experienced defensive colleagues.

His manager praised the 18-year-old's contribution as vital to United's win at the weekend and added he has a really chance of becoming a top player.

"We have been, and I think every Newcastle United supporter has been, really impressed by him," Souness admitted. "Not with the way he's played but the way he's handled it.

"He said he should have scored today but for (Jean-Alain) Boumsong getting in the way of a shot in the first half. But he's more than scored a goal by keeping that one out at the death.

"He's only 18 and if he keeps a level head who knows (how far he can go). He's got a real chance."

Despite coming through Newcastle's youth and reserve set up as a centre half, all of Taylor's appearances have come at right back.

Souness feels Taylor is too young to be risked in his favoured central position at the moment but says his chance will come.

"We'll see how he keeps improving and, who knows, with injuries and suspensions he might get a chance next month (at centre-back). He might not get a chance until next year."

Meanwhile, the United boss, confirmed his interest in Portsmouth striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu as a possible replacement for Alan Shearer.

The Newcastle captain is set to retire at the end of the season, and Souness is considering a bid for the 22-year-old Nigerian striker.

He said: "Yakubu is one of several players who do interest me.

"It's no secret that we have to replace the top man at the end of the season - and whoever comes in is going to have a monumental task to fill one of his boots, never mind both.

"Whether that's Yakubu, or whoever comes in, it's a difficult job.

"I could talk all day about Alan Shearer. He's going to be impossible to replace. He has been the best English centre-forward that has ever played football for his country - even as a Scotsman I can say that."

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