NEWCASTLE UNITED are heading for a North-East tug-o-war with Middlesbrough over the summer capture of Dutch superstar Patrick Kluivert.

Contrary to Kluivert's weekend claims that he wanted to stay at Camp Nou, Barcelona last night announced they have told the striker to look for a new club during the close-season.

That news is sure to alert both the Magpies and Boro, among others, as they look to acquire a prolific forward ahead of the Premiership restart in August.

Newcastle, seeking a long-term successor for Alan Shearer, are long-standing admirers of Kluivert and they tried hard to sign him when the transfer window opened for a month in January.

Boro boss Steve McClaren also wants to bolster his squad with a goalscorer and he has targeted Leeds duo Alan Smith and Mark Viduka in recent times.

Despite Kluivert's impressive pedigree - he has starred for Ajax, AC Milan and Holland - Barca are prepared to let him go for next to nothing after a frustrating campaign under fellow Dutchman Frank Rijkaard.

Rijkaard began a clear-out yesterday when he also told Marc Overmars, Philip Cocu, Michael Reiziger and Rustu Recber that they can all leave, as the club look to slash their wage bill.

Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain said: "We don't want them to stay. Overmars didn't play much last year and didn't contribute much to the team.

"Kluivert is always under pressure from the crowd and this is not good for any player. Both Kluivert and Frank Rijkaard are in agreement with this."

The biggest hindrance to both Newcastle and Boro is that they can not offer Champions League football to Kluivert next season - as both have only secured UEFA Cup spots.

There is sure to be plenty of interest for the 27-year-old from a host of top clubs, although he has indicated he would like to try his luck in the Premiership.

The availability of out of contract Reiziger may also attract Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson.

Robson, who has allowed Andy Griffin to leave, has a new right-back high on his list of priorities and the Dutchman would fit the bill.

Newcastle have already explored the possibility of signing Leeds' Danny Mills and are continuing to consider their options.

Meanwhile, Shearer's long-term future at Newcastle has been thrown into doubt after news that he has agreed a three-year deal with the BBC.

Skipper Shearer retires as a player at the end of next season and is widely regarded as a candidate to replace Robson as manager.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd would like Shearer integrated into the Magpies' coaching set-up with a possible view to him moving into the hot-seat when Robson's contract runs out in a year's time.

But Shearer, who has developed a lucrative sideline as a pundit with Sky Sports in recent years, has now been snapped up by the BBC from next season.

Shepherd's priority is planning for what promises to be a challenging campaign.

The Newcastle chief met Robson last week to discuss the way ahead after the failure to qualify for the Champions League.

And Shepherd admits that speculation over Robson's future has become "annoying''.

He said: "This is an important summer for us and we just want to get on with our jobs.

"We had a meeting on Thursday, but we are always having meetings. There will be a series of meetings over the summer, but the season has just ended and we have a bit of time on our side.

"Sir Bobby Robson has 12 months of his contract to run and nothing has changed in this respect. The speculation about the manager's position is becoming more and more annoying."

Newcastle could be represented in Oslo tomorrow night when Wales, whose squad includes Magpies striker Craig Bellamy, face Norway.

The Geordies could also run a further check on Norway's Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Tromso have denied receiving a £1.5m bid for the winger from Blackburn.

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