NEWCASTLE are continuing to show an interest in Hatem Trabelsi, despite their initial approaches being rebuffed by the Tunisian defender.

But the Magpies will be forced to enter a bidding war for the 27-year-old after he lost a court case yesterday that would have allowed him to leave his current club Ajax for nothing.

ECHO Sport understands that the Magpies first made contact with the 27-year-old more than a week ago, only to be told that he was lukewarm about the prospect of moving to St James' Park.

But, with moves for alternative right-backs stalling, United have refused to call time on their attempts to sign the highly-rated African.

Trabelsi was part of the Tunisian side that won this year's African Nations Cup and was one of five players nominated for African Player of the Year last December.

Sir Bobby Robson is desperate to sign a new right-back following Andy Griffin's departure to Portsmouth and Trabelsi would provide a world-class presence.

But the Magpies face an uphill task, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Juventus and AC Milan all having monitored his progress last season.

That task was made all the harder yesterday when the Dutch FA ruled that Trabelsi is contracted to Ajax until June 30, 2006.

The defender had claimed he was able to leave on a free transfer in the summer as he was at the end of his current deal.

But Ajax insisted they had an option to extend his contract for two years - a view that has been upheld by the Dutch authorities.

Trabelsi's relationship with Ajax boss Ronald Koeman has deteriorated to the point where he is still certain to leave the Dutch champions this summer.

But his services will come at a cost and, while Newcastle are still hopeful of concluding a deal, Robson is unwilling to blow his summer transfer kitty on a full-back.

Newcastle are willing to make a fresh approach to Trabelsi as their attempts to sign Danny Mills and Mario Melchiot have stalled.

Melchiot is weighing up his options after being told he has no future at Chelsea, while Mills is expected to sit down with Robson next week in an attempt to find some middle ground over his wage demands.

It has been reported that the Leeds United defender is unwilling to accept a cut in his £40,000 a week pay - a stance that has scuppered a move to Middlesbrough.

But Mills, who spent last season on loan at the Riverside, has denied that monetary factors were behind the collapse of his proposed move to Teesside.

"I've not heard a thing from them (Middlesbrough) since the last game of the season," said Mills, who is also being tracked by Birmingham boss Steve Bruce.

"It's all left a rather sour taste after winning the Carling Cup and I would describe it as seedy politics.

"When I read my demands were impossible to meet, it just left me gobsmacked after all their promises. It's totally unprofessional and cowardly."

* Newcastle midfielder Hugo Viana will aim to get his international career back on track when Portugal face Italy in the semi-final of the European Under-21 Championships tonight.

Viana was bitterly disappointed at being left out of the full Portuguese squad for this month's European Championships, and things got even worse when he was dropped for the Under-21s' crucial group decider with Germany last week.

But suspensions to Carlos Martins and Raul Meireles mean he will back in the fold this evening as Portugal look for the victory that will earn them automatic qualification for this summer's Olympic Games in Athens.

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