Tarantino for Tinsel-toon?

Howay the lads!

They may be flashing the cash down Chelsea way, but it's Newcastle who have been surprisingly linked with Quentin Tarantino.

Plans are afoot to make a £15m Hollywood blockbuster at St James Park, featuring the cult director's production team - and maybe even the man himself.

Which could explain the real reason for Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd's recent visit to LA.

Shepherd checked into the same hotel as Manchester United chairman Peter Kenyon, sparking rumours that Kieron Dyer was on his way to Old Trafford.

But who needs press speculation when you've got Pulp Fiction?

The film, called 'Goal!', tells the tale of a Latin American who signs for a top northern club, where he has difficulty settling in. Juan Veron, anyone?

Newcastle have not been officially confirmed as the team in question, but producer Mike Jefferies has dropped strong hints that they will get the nod.

"All I can say about Newcastle United is that we are more than interested in featuring the club, and its brilliant tradition, as the team which our hero plays for," he told the Sunday Sun newspaper.

"The city of Newcastle and the Geordie people would undoubtedly provide a wonderful social backdrop against which our movie's story would unfurl."

The cast Bobby Robson - Clint Eastwood Alan Shearer - Sean Bean Laurent Robert - Eric Cantona Lee Bowyer - Vinnie Jones

Jefferies works for Milkshake Films, who will co-produce 'Goal!' with Lawrence Bender - producer of Tarantino movies Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs and Jackie Brown.

The movie was described by Jefferies as "a coming of age film, kind of Rocky meets 8 Mile, and set against the backdrop of the world's most glamorous sport, soccer".

As for Tarantino's role, he added: "We haven't talked to Quentin about it yet, but if we get someone of Quentin's calibre we will be very excited."

Not half as excited as Tarantino would be to meet the legendary Bobby Robson.