TEDDY SHERINGHAM may leave Tottenham Hot spur for Newcastle United this summer in a multi-million-pound swap deal involving Les Ferdinand.
Sheringham said yesterday that he had submitted a formal transfer request last weekend, with unfulfilled personal ambition as his chief motive.
Several Premiership managers would want to sign the 31-year-old striker, none more so than Newcastle's Kenny Dalglish who would dearly love to pair him with Alan Shearer to recreate at club level the partnership that has been so potent in the international arena.
Sheringham, as well as hoping to lay claim to some silverware in the autumn of his career, is believed to be looking for at least £1 million a season in wages.
Although Dalglish has been told he must sell before he can complete the job of restructuring the squad he inherited from Kevin Keegan, a deal for Sheringham would almost be self-financing if Ferdinand could be persuaded to move in the opposite direction.
With Sheringham and Ferdinand being much the same age and boasting similar pedigrees, they are likely to be valued at £5 £6 million each.
Dalglish is not alone in coveting Sheringbam's skills. Liverpool's manager Roy Evans has spent the past three weeks thinking about lodging a bid, and with Stan Collymore having departed to Aston Villa his need of a suitable partner for Robbie Fowler is acute.
But Liverpool do not feel inclined to invest so heavily in a player who, given his age, would have no resale value after completing a four-year contract.
Sheringham yesterday accused the Tottenham chairman Alan Sugar of withdrawing a new contract offer before he had had enough time to consider it.
It is understood that Spurs were prepared to increase Sheringham's salary by 50 per cent, raising his weekly income from £13,000 to about £20,000 for the next four years. It is also believed that Sheringham was holding out for a five-year agreement.
But at the same time, the team's lack of progress during a season which had seen Tottenham moping in mid-table and making an insignificant impact in the cup competitions had fed Sheringham's desire to leave.
"I don't know what's going to happen next at Tottenham, I've just made this decision. Top players want to play at the top level, whether it is with England or with their clubs," said Sheringham.
Meanwhile, after the convincing win over Poland, England coach Glenn Hoddle is at liberty to experiment with players and tactics for tonight's game against Italy in the Tournoi de France in Nantes.
Cesare Maldini, the 65-year-old Italian coach, is said to be set on fielding the team that beat England 1-0 at Wembley although Paolo Maldini, who has a thigh injury, may give way to Antonio Bcnarrivo. Hoddle, however appears intent on a reshuffle.
This could involve five changes in the side that started the Poland game. Alan Shearer may step down with Ian Wright, impressive in the friendly against South Africa, getting another opportunity to resume his belated pursuit of an international career.
Other changes could see Tim Flowers getting a chance in goal, Phil Neville coming in at right wing-back while brother Gary gives way to John Scales in the back three, and David Batty keeping his place in midfield after coming on for the injured Paul Gascoigne in Chorzow. In addition Hoddle has pledged himself to playing David Beckham in a central midfield role at some point.
Whatever happens in Nantes tonight Hoddle will not be drawing too many conclusions from it for the renewal of hostilities with Italy in October. "Rome will be a different situation," he said. "An entirely different set of circumstances."
The Austrian government yesterday pledged its full financial support ($123 to $164 million) for a joint bid to host the 2004 European Championship finals with neighbouring Hungary.
UEFA is expected to make a decision on bids in 1998. Spain is considered a leading contender. Belgium and the Netherlands will be the first joint hosts in 2000.
