NEWCASTLE United must beat off a rival bid from Napoli if they are to land Belgium's Euro 2000 star Emile Mpenza.

United have agreed an £8m fee with Bundesliga side Schalke for the pacey striker and are confident of pushing the deal through.

But Italians Napoli, who this week signed former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek on a free transfer, have also declared their interest in Mpenza.

Schalke's initial valuation of Mpenza is said to have been a prohibitive £12m.

But United persuaded them to lower their demands and have engineered an agreement whereby only half the fee is paid up front, with the remainder in two instalments.

The deal would equal United's £8m outlay on Duncan Ferguson and make ex-Standard Liege striker Mpenza the joint-second most costly signing in the Magpies' history behind £15m Alan Shearer.

Mpenza, nearing his 22nd birthday, scored in Belgium's Euro 2000-opening win over Sweden.

His brother, Mbo Mpenza, who plays for Sporting Lisbon, was also a member of the Belgian squad.

Newcastle, who watched Czech Republic striker Jan Koller in action for Belgian giants Anderlecht last season, ran the rule over the towering targetman again during Euro 2000.

The Magpies identified Koller as a potential replacement for the injury-prone Ferguson.

But it seems that United boss Bobby Robson sees the injection of pace as a priority.

Meanwhile, Bradford City keeper Matt Clarke yesterday admitted he is aware that Newcastle are on his trail.

Bradford chairman Geoffrey Richmond insisted he had received no approach for Clarke, who has three years left on his contract.

But 26-year-old Clarke, a £1.5m United target, said: "I know they are interested in me. I've been told they made enquiries last season before I was injured.

"They've clearly been monitoring my progress, but I haven't spoken to City about the situation.''

Clarke, signed on a free transfer from Sheffield Wednesday last season, added: "I'm happy at the way things have turned out for me at Valley Parade, but if one of the big clubs comes in for you, then you are bound to be interested.''

Bradford have also denied any interest in taking Newcastle midfielder Des Hamilton back to Valley Parade.

Hamilton joined United from Bradford over three years ago for £1.5m.

l ITALIAN defender Alessandro Pistone has admitted his surprise that Newcastle have sold him to Everton.

Pistone, moving to Goodison Park in a £3m deal, said: "I have had my ups and downs in my time at Newcastle, but I'm a little surprised that they have decided to sell me.'