REAL MADRID'S multi-million pound offer for Jonathan Woodgate was hailed as 'too good to turn down' by Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson last night.

Woodgate is due to undergo a medical in the Spanish capital today after the two clubs agreed a £13.4m transfer fee - on the same day Kieron Dyer apologised for his poor behaviour last week.

And Robson has already started to consider Woodgate's replacement with Nottingham Forest's young stopper Michael Dawson high on his list of targets.

The Newcastle manager admitted that he did not want to lose the England centre-back but knew he could do little to prevent him from joining David Beckham and Michael Owen at the Bernabeu.

"At his best Jonathan Woodgate is the best centre half in the country," said Robson, who paid £9m for his services from Leeds in January last year.

"I'm not interested in profit. But it's a huge offer, which we have to consider. I don't want to lose him but it's a huge sum of money.

"It's also a huge opportunity for him. Do we deny him that opportunity. There's a moral issue here.''

The player's agents, SFX, are hoping to negotiate a four-year contract worth around £70,000 a week, although one major stumbling block in the deal could be passing today's medical.

As Real launched the big money bid, Woodgate was in Munich with top specialist Hans Muller Wohlfart in an attempt to find the root of the thigh injury that kept him out of Euro 2004.

Earlier this week Robson insisted the defender was still two or three weeks away from making a return to action in the Premiership - despite first suffering the injury nearly four months ago against Chelsea.

It is that problem which could prove a major hurdle to overcome when Woodgate is put through his paces at the Bernabeu later today.

But Robson said: "He's got ten years to give somebody. There's not one person at this club who'd be happy to see him go.

"But he may decide he doesn't want to move, he may fail his medical. It's a bush fire.

"We're just waiting for the story to develop. But I don't blame him for wanting to go and play with Beckham and Owen at Madrid.''

And Real will also be keen to ensure that his other injury problems have cleared up once and for all.

Since signing 18 months ago Woodgate has made only 39 appearances from a possible 128 matches - a fact that has helped convince Newcastle to part company.

When joining from Leeds United he arrived at St James' Park carrying a minor injury. But since then Robson has been left frustrated by the player's fitness record.

Last summer he picked up a hernia problem during a pre-season trip to Malaysia and it was not until March that he put together a run of games - although he played just 11 before rupturing his thigh against Chelsea.

But, regardless of his fitness history, Real boss Josi Antonio Camacho has made Woodgate his major defensive target this summer.

And Camacho knew the Teesside-born defender, due to fly straight from Munich to Madrid, would jump at the chance to sign for the world's biggest club.

Playing alongside fellow England internationals Beckham and Owen and the prospect of teaming up with the other 'galacticos' - Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Raul and Luis Figo - has proved too tempting.

And, if Woodgate does depart, Robson will then turn his attentions to Forest's young defender Dawson.

The 20-year-old, currently sidelined with a groin injury, has already made a name for himself at the City Ground and many clubs, including Liverpool, have previously made their interest known.

But Dawson may welcome a move back to the North-East to be nearer his hometown Northallerton.

The sale of Woodgate would leave Robson short in defensive options; with just Titus Bramble, Aaron Hughes, Andy O'Brien and teenager Steven Taylor recognised centre-backs.

But while Woodgate looks to be on his way out at St James', midfielder Dyer took steps yesterday to save his Newcastle career.

The former Ipswich man was booed when he played at his home ground for England on Wednesday night after a bust-up with Robson ahead of last weekend's Tees-Tyne derby.

Dyer refused to play in the right-midfield role he was asked to and then he passed on the captain's armband given to him by Alan Shearer with two minutes remaining.

But, as clubs consider making a bid for the player, the 25-year-old apologised to everyone connected with Newcastle yesterday.

"My refusal to play in the position the manager asked me was wrong. I sincerely regret the whole incident," said Dyer, who wants to play against Tottenham tomorrow.

"Certain players were injured and for the good of the team and the club I should have accepted what Sir Bobby said without question.

"But, ultimately, the manager picks the team and I apologise to him and to our supporters wholeheartedly."

Chairman Freddy Shepherd suggested last night Dyer would have been transfer listed had he not said sorry for his behaviour.

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