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| Luis Boa Morte |
Newcastle chairman Freddie Shepherd will only table a firm bid for long-term target Luis Boa Morte once it becomes clear how much of the club's transfer budget is required to address the more pressing problems up front and in defence.
Manager Souness assumed the Portuguese international Boa Morte would be paraded in a black-and-white shirt before the semi-finals of this summer's Intertoto Cup.
However, the need to sign a proven goalscorer and an experienced centre-half has since superceded the desire to add yet another attacking midfielder to the Magpies' first-team mix.
And Fulham's wish for a fee in excess of £5m for Boa Morte has led to any bid being put on ice - Newcastle cannot afford to press home their interest in the Cottagers' favourite until the outcome and cost of more urgent transfers become clear.
Injuries to Titus Bramble and Kieron Dyer - viewed by Souness as a potential strike partner for Alan Shearer - have exacerbated the need to strengthen United's defence and the club's overstretched attack.