BRETT EMERTON'S agent has admitted his fear that Feyenoord could price the Australia star out of a move to Newcastle United.

As exclusively revealed in Northern Echo Sport this week, the Magpies have been given permission to open talks with long-time target Emerton.

Any hope of beginning negotiations quickly, however, has been dashed because the 24-year-old midfielder has flown back to Australia to be married following Feyenoord's end-of-season tour to the Far East.

Newcastle are now likely to have to wait a month before speaking to Emerton after he returns from honeymoon.

United have yet to agree a fee with Feyenoord, but the Dutch giants are resigned to losing Emerton, who has only a year left on his contract and has revealed his dream of playing in the Premiership.

Sources close to Feyenoord insist a bid of around £4m from Newcastle, who were rebuffed when they offered twice as much for Emerton a year ago, should be enough to clinch a deal.

But his representative, Simon Konstantinidis, maintained: "I don't think any club would be prepared to pay the money that Feyenoord are asking.

"It was £8m last year; I understand it is around £5m now. So I think any deal with Newcastle is some way off.''

United are still hoping Tottenham will agree to take striker Carl Cort in part-exchange for £4m-rated Republic of Ireland right-back Stephen Carr.

Spurs won't entertain a straight swap deal because Cort, who cost £7m when Sir Bobby Robson signed him from Wimbledon three years ago, has a history of long-term injuries.

Meanwhile, Newcastle were expected to be among a posse of scouts watching Tromso's attacking midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen in action for Norway's Under-21 side in Denmark last night.

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