West Ham agree fee for Newcastle's Dyer

Newcastle United midfielder Kieron Dyer has been given permission to speak to West Ham United after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee for the 28-year-old.

Magpies manager Sam Allardyce had earlier insisted a £4million bid for the England international was well below Newcastle's valuation. The Hammers have returned with an improved offer, nearer the £6m mark.

The player is understood to be keen to move south to be closer to his family.

Allardyce said: 'We've agreed a deal so you'd have thought that he will finish up where he needs to finish up to solve his family problems.

'From our point of view and from his point of view it's a satisfactory result. There was a need to do it as quickly as we possibly could and we've worked all out to do that and we've finally resolved the situation.'

Although Dyer has not officially left St James' Park, Allardyce has already turned his attention to replacing the versatile 28-year-old.

He said: 'My job now is to replace him, which shouldn't take too long I don't think, and then move on to other players in other positions as quickly as I can or at the same time.

'I think we'll be close by the end of the week to maybe one or two players, I would hope.

'Then after that I would look to get at least another two or maybe three in because if Kieron goes, whoever comes in to replace him, that's only one for one, so it's not actually improving the squad in terms of strength in depth.

'There's still three or four players need to be got on top of whoever we replace Kieron with.' and it is now up to Dyer to thrash out personal terms.

Reports in Wednesday's media claimed Dyer has been subjected to abuse from some Magpies fans since it became clear he was hoping to leave.

Chairman Chris Mort has expressed his concern at the effect that could have on attempts to overhaul the squad.

Dyer was booed during the weekend's friendly win over Juventus and it has been alleged that his house has been targeted by an egg-throwing mob.

Mort warned: 'We have to make all our current players and potential new signings see Newcastle as a great place to live.

'It would be disastrous for this sort of behaviour to be repeated.'

Source: Soccernet.com