Kluivert lift for Newcastle

Exclusive by James Standley

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Patrick Kluivert says Newcastle remain his first choice and insists wages are not a stumbling block.

"Newcastle is absolutely his first choice from a career point of view," the Dutch striker's agent, Paul Foortse, told BBC Sport.

"Reports we have asked for £80,000 a week are absolutely not true. We haven't put a figure on wages - we haven't asked for anything.

"Newcastle haven't offered us a penny and we haven't asked for a penny."

Foortse also denied that the 14-day deadline Kluivert has imposed on any deal is designed to put pressure on Newcastle.

"The season is going to start very soon so the issue should be sorted quickly," he said.

"It's nothing to do with Newcastle, we just want things sorted within 14 days."

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Kluivert was released by Barcelona at the end of last season and remains a target for a number of clubs, including Turkish side Galatasaray.

Kluivert, who has won 79 caps for Holland, was part of the Dutch squad at Euro 2004 but did not make it onto the pitch during the tournament, with Ruud van Nistelrooy winning the battle to start as the lone striker.

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