Best considers move away from St. James’ Park

Toon striker Leon Best is reportedly on the verge of signing for Blackburn Rovers with a fee of £2 million agreed between the clubs.

The striker is considering the option to drop down to the Championship after he was told that he can leave NUFC if he wants regular first team football.

These are crucial times for the former Premier League champions and moneybags, both on and off the pitch. Previous top goalscorer, Yakubu, who scored an amazing 17 Premier League goals in a relegation season, is set for a £5 million move to Chinese club Guangzhou, whilst Ryan Nelson has left for QPR with former England keeper Paul Robinson also rumoured to be on the move.

Off the pitch, Blackburn Rovers have reiterated their intention to stand by manager Steve Kean, despite the clamour for his dismissal from the fans throughout the season.

Since signing from Coventry City in January 2010, Best has played his part in the Newcastle United evolution. His 42 league appearances and 10 goals for Newcastle United have been sporadic due to injury and the emergence and signings of other players, although last season he made 18 Premier League appearances, scoring four goals.

Best will surely seek his own assurances as to the future of Kean – and also of the club itself – as he will not want to emulate the fate of one of his former clubs, Coventry City, who were relegated to the third tier of English football last season. And of course Celtic would seem to be interested as well, with manager Neil Lennon keen to add the Republic of Ireland international to his strike force.

If Best does want medals and European football then Celtic stands out a mile, rather than the stands of discontent at Ewood Park. He may well have concerns over his international future by playing in Scotland, but the opportunity will surely arise given the Republic’s awful showing at Euro 2012.

The Venky’s have promised great things at Blackburn before – including Beckham and Ronaldinho – what they promise now is a real challenge to the man previously known as Zorro.