Everton favourites to seal transfer of striker Bellamy

As the Newcastle chairman, Freddy Shepherd, reiterated that there is no way back into St James' Park for their Welsh international Craig Bellamy, Everton were emerging as favourites to sign the controversial striker. The Merseysiders also agreed a £5m deal for Udinese's Denmark international central defender Per Kroldrup.

As the Newcastle chairman, Freddy Shepherd, reiterated that there is no way back into St James' Park for their Welsh international Craig Bellamy, Everton were emerging as favourites to sign the controversial striker. The Merseysiders also agreed a £5m deal for Udinese's Denmark international central defender Per Kroldrup.

Shepherd had said that the decision on whether the Welshman could play for the club again would lie with the manager, Graeme Souness, sparking suggestions that he could yet return. Yesterday, however, he said, "I am not having a meeting with Graeme to discuss the situation with Craig Bellamy. The situation has not changed."

Bellamy spent the second half of last season on loan at Celtic, who did not take up an option to make the deal permanent, after he described Souness as "a liar" on television in January following an altercation between the two. Moves to Birmingham, Aston Villa and Manchester City have not interested the 25-year-old, while the Magpies refused to comment on claims that he has been given permission to speak to Everton.

The intention is to sell him during the next few weeks, and although he is technically now a Newcastle player again, few at St James' Park expect him to return for pre-season training next month.

Patrick Kluivert, who spent last season at Newcastle, will play for Valencia next season after he passed a medical at the second attempt. The Dutch international forward failed his first medical earlier this month.

Kroldrup, meanwhile, was a key figure in Udinese qualifying for the Champions' League as they finished fourth in Serie A last season. The Everton manager, David Moyes, has been in the market for a central defender, with Alan Stubbs yet to sign a new deal.