NEWCASTLE UNITED are to challenge the English transfer system, a move which threatens to leave small clubs facing a bleak future. United argue that they should pay nothing for the £2 million-rated Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given (right), who agreed to join them from Blackburn yesterday.

They say that under the Bosman ruling all out-of-contract players are free agents and do not command a transfer fee. So they are asking whether it is lawful for the English soccer authorities to refuse to fall into line with this for transfers between domestic clubs.

Their challenge will be made at a transfer tribunal to decide Given's valuation after the two clubs failed to agree a fee. The tribunal will be held once the 21-year-old officially joins Newcastle after his Blackburn contract runs out on June 30th.

If an inquiry agrees that no fee should be paid for Given, the precedent would end the English transfer system as we know it. If it does not agree, then Newcastle promise a further announcement.