Newcastle have reportedly made a bid for Manchester United defender Wes Brown.

The 28-year-old England man will be a free agent in the summer when his Old Trafford deal expires and he recently turned down what Sir Alex Ferguson said was the club's final contract offer.

Now, according to the Manchester Evening News, struggling Newcastle have made a firm offer for him.

Boss Sam Allardyce is under increasing pressure on Tyneside following that 2-0 midweek home defeat by Manchester City.

And he reportedly sees the addition of Brown as key to bolstering his side's shaky defence.

Allardyce is a long-term admirer of Brown, who has spent most of the season deputising for the injured Gary Neville at right-back at Old Trafford.

Ferguson must now decide whether to let Brown go now for a fee or lose him for nothing in the summer.

If he takes the first option it could leave him light at the back with Neville still having to prove his match fitness.

The options behind the skipper are John O'Shea, Danny Simpson and Gerard Pique.

That's great.And they want to improve their defence with the addition of Orangehead.  Brilliant.

Someone get a message through to Captain Snort
That they better start assembling the boys from the fort.
And keep Mrs. Honeyman right out of sight,
'Cos there's gonna be riot down in Trumpton Tonight.

4/ 1/2008

NEWCASTLE boss Sam Allardyce has made an offer for United defender Wes Brown.

Brown will be a free agent in the summer when his Old Trafford contract expires and he has been stalling on signing a new deal.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson said: “We have had an inquiry from Newcastle for Wes Brown but we have turned it down.”

The 28-year-old Mancunian’s advisors have been negotiating with the Reds for most of the season and Brown has turned down a number of offers from the club.

Ferguson revealed before Christmas that Brown had rejected the club’s final offer and there would be no increased deal. That agreement remains unsigned but still on the table.

Former Bolton boss Allardyce wanted Brown at the Reebok but now sees him as the ideal defender to shore up the Newcastle defence and save his job at St James’ Park.

The defender has been enjoying his most sustained injury-free run in the Reds senior side for years and has been an able deputy at right back for injured captain Gary Neville since last March.

Neville has still not proved his match fitness even at reserve level and letting Brown go would leave John O’Shea and Danny Simpson covering the role.

Fergie’s squad is already set to be one defender light with 20-year-old Jonny Evans set for an imminent return to Sunderland on loan for three months.

The Irishman, who was bailed over an allegation of rape at United’s notorious Christmas party, was a success at the Stadium of Light for Roy Keane last season.

He moved temporarily to the Black Cats last January and helped the club win the championship and promotion to the Premier League. Evans has had two starts for the Reds this season and made one sub appearance.

Talk about Death Wish- Sam must really hate it in Newcastle

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