SPANISH sources last night insisted that Newcastle United are weighing up a move for Uruguay's World Cup striker Dario Silva.

United boss Bobby Robson, who has lingering worries over the fitness of frontline pair Craig Bellamy and Carl Cort, as well as attacking midfielder Kieron Dyer, is known to be keen to add to his forward options.

Silva, 29, has spent three seasons with Malaga, whom he joined from Barcelona-based Espanyol, but the Costa del Sol side are looking to cash in for around £4m.

Robson's immediate priority, however, is tying up the signing of Ipswich centre-back Titus Bramble. United insist they have yet to agree a fee for 20-year-old Bramble after having a £4.2m bid turned down.

Ipswich, looking to unload five players following relegation from the Premiership, value Bramble at £6m. But United are confident they can meet them halfway and expect a deal to be completed by the middle of next week.

Meanwhile, United are on collision course with former boss Kevin Keegan over Manchester City's capture of Sylvain Distin.

City, who won promotion under Keegan, signed Distin from Paris St. Germain for £4m at the end of last season after the French defender spurned a contract on Tyneside following a successful eight-month loan. But United have reported City to the FA, claiming they made an illegal approach to Distin before the Magpies' option to buy him had expired on the last Saturday in May.

Newcastle were yesterday also on a war-footing with West Ham.

The clubs attended a Premier League tribunal to contest the Hammers' signing of Olivier Bernard on a pre-contract.

Newcastle maintain they have an option on the left-sided Frenchman for another year. A decision is expected to be announced today.

* Manchester United duo Ronnie Wallwork and Raimond van der Gouw are finally set for moves to West Brom and Coventry respectively, writes CHRIS ROBERTS.

The midfielder and goalkeeper are set to leave Sir Alex Ferguson's side when their contracts expire this month, and both look like moving to the West Midlands.

Wallwork has found it increasingly difficult to break into the first team at Old Trafford and has attracted interest from West Brom, Birmingham and Portsmouth, but it appears he is now ready to move to The Hawthorns.

''Albion have sold the club to Ronnie and he is keen to play for them,'' revealed Wallwork's agent Neil Sillett. ''West Brom's interest is extremely advanced and we are happy with what they have to offer.

''There has been interest from Birmingham. But we felt duty bound to give Gary (Megson) the chance to sign Ronnie.

''It is possible he could earn more money elsewhere, but he wants to play for Albion.''

Meanwhile, Dutchman van der Gouw may be playing at Highfield Road next season, according to Coventry chairman Mike McGinnity. He told United's website: ''Raimond has been made an offer and he has gone away to think about it. The talks went well and we are hopeful that he will sign.''

* West Ham United yesterday made their first signing of the summer with the arrival of young Auxerre striker Youssef Sofiane.

The 18-year-old has spent the last four seasons progressing through the ranks with the French outfit and he has been signed to replace Paul Kitson as back-up to the club's strikers.

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