Allardyce Looking To Future Without Martins

Last Updated : 15-Jul-2007 by
Sam replied to questions from journalists in a 'matter of fact' way, "if he goes ... he goes ... I cannot stop him". And that is very much his attitude as regards Oba Martins, too.

Allardyce has made it perfectly pain, you either WANT to play for Newcastle or you DON'T. If you don't ... you're not welcome at the club. And the very fact Martins is looking at allegedly an extra £40,000 a week to join Owen on a wage of £103,000 has staggered the Toon boss.

A meeting between the two was planned, and Newcastle Utd are keeping quiet on the issue. But Allardyce is still searching the transfer market for a striker, despite having Owen, Mark Viduka and Shla Ameobi, and yesterday Liverpool put the "frighteners" on him when he asked about Peter Crouch.

The Reds have warned Newcastle, Manchester City and Aston Villa they will have to stump up £20million if they want to sign the England international.

The trio seem to be under the impression he may be surplus to requirements at Anfield following the arrivals of Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Andriy Voronin.

However, Reds boss Rafael Benitez says he is under no pressure to sell after allowing Craig Bellamy to join West Ham for £7.5million.

Crouch has two years left on his current deal and Benitez believes the 26-year-old is worth in excess of the £16million Tottenham spent on Darren Bent, according to the News of the World.