A LACK of dialogue between Newcastle United's two largest shareholders has forced Sam Allardyce to pursue bargain signings initially, but his hopes of landing Liverpool's Sami Hyypia took a knock last night.

The Finnish defender has been among Allardyce's top targets since taking over as he plots to improve a leaky defence.

Speaking from his homeland where he is on international duty ahead of Euro 2008 qualifiers, Hyypia has claimed Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told him he is going nowhere this summer.

Despite falling behind Daniel Agger as the defensive partner to Jamie Carragher last season, Hyypia has also hinted he is happy to see out the remaining year of his contract at Anfield.

That, almost certainly, means Allardyce will be forced to focus his attention on securing the services of Bolton's Tal Ben Haim as he looks to bring experience to a youthful back four before August.

Ben Haim, an Israeli attracting interest from Chelsea, would be tempted into joining his old Trotters boss at St James' Park, although Allardyce knows he will have to act fast or risk missing out on two of his top centre-back targets.

It had been expected that Hyypia would demand a move from Liverpool this summer, after losing his place in Benitez's side at the age of 33.

But he said: "Rafa said to me 'we're happy with you and you are not for sale'.

"I will go back to Liverpool in July for pre-season training. Next season will be my ninth in Liverpool and I still have one year left on my contract."

Ben Haim's availability on a Bosman free is ideal, with Newcastle no nearer to knowing who will be in control of the club come August. Or, more pressingly in Allardyce's eyes, who will have the final say on financial outgoings.

Allardyce was on holiday in France when billionaire Mike Ashley claimed control of more than 40 per cent of the club's shares.

In becoming the club's largest shareholder he is having to wait to discuss the matter with existing chairman Freddy Shepherd, who holds nearly 30 per cent and is recovering from pneumonia and pleurisy.

No date for a meeting has been set up, although it is thought to be later this week when the matter of a budget for transfers is likely to be brought up.

For now, Allardyce knows the cheaper options he has on his list are a priority and another name emerged as a target yesterday.

The 52-year-old had been working hard on taking Ghanaian midfielder Derek Boateng to Bolton during his time there and is now believed to be trying to lure him to Tyneside.

Boateng is available for less than £1m from Beitar Jerusalem and has become an integral part of the Ghana midfield alongside Chelsea's Michael Essien.

There remains hope on Newcastle's part that they can land Middlesbrough's Mark Viduka on a Bosman free when his contract expires.

Expensive deals for West Ham's Nigel Reo-Coker - unless a swap deal can be struck that would see Scott Parker head the other way - and Peter Crouch are likely to have to wait.