NEWCASTLE UNITED are clear to step up negotiations with Patrick Kluivert after Middlesbrough turned their attentions to Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink.

The North-East clubs were heading into a battle for Kluivert's signature after being allowed to leave Barcelona on a free transfer.

But Boro have now dropped out of the race to sign the 28-year-old after lining up the formidable front-line of Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka.

And now Newcastle, who have already held talks with Kluivert and his representatives, are ready to continue negotiations in a bid to fend off competition from London club Fulham.

Aston Villa were also rumoured to be interested in the Holland international but they denied the reports yesterday.

Newcastle, though, remain determined to add a new front-man to their ranks ahead of the start of the new campaign on August 14 - at, ironically, Boro.

Kluivert is seen at Newcastle as the ideal man to succeed Alan Shearer but negotiations could still hit a stumbling block due to the player's reported £93,000 wages at the Nou Camp.

Magpies striker Lomana LuaLua looks to be the next out of the door at St James' Park - although not to the most likely destination.

LuaLua has been courted by Portsmouth since he enjoyed a successful loan spell at Fratton Park towards the end of last season.

However, Pompey were not prepared to pay the £2m fee being demanded from Newcastle and the deal eventually broke down, but Portsmouth's loss is proving to be to West Brom's gain.

The Baggies, newly-promoted to the top-flight, are on the look out for a new forward to boost their chances of survival in their first year back among the elite.

And manager Gary Megson, a former Newcastle player, has turned to his old club and is a trying to lure LuaLua to the Midlands. The striker's agent Tony Finnigan said: "We've had the green light from Newcastle and are now having provisional discussions with West Brom."