Toon blow for Taylor

By Brian Mcnally, sundaymirror.co.uk 9/09/2007

EXCLUSIVE

Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United will lead the chase for unsettled Newcastle defender Steven Taylor.

The England under-21 skipper's refusal to sign a new five-year deal - that would still have left him as one of the worst paid first-teamers at St James' Park - has alerted the big guns.

And Toon chairman Chris Mort has now asked for a crisis meeting with the player's father and representative, Alf.

Taylor senior described Newcastle's offer as "disappointing" and the indications from the club are that the centre-back - rated the best young defensive prospect in England - was offered less than James Milner and Charles N'Zogbia, who have both agreed new deals recently.