Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is close to agreeing a new contract following the intervention of owner Mike Ashley.
The billionaire businessman stepped in to urge new managing director Derek Llambias, who replaced chairman Chris Mort at the helm last week, to bring an end to the long-running saga over the 22-year-old's future.
Taylor and his representatives have been in talks with the club for more than a year with a series of potential suitors, including Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, West Ham and Tottenham, watching closely.
However, progress has now been made and a successful conclusion is expected within the next couple of weeks.
Taylor said: "Knowing the owner wants me to stay means a lot to me.
"Everyone knows I love this club and want to commit my future here, but the deal has to be right for me and the club.
"I am happy there has been some progress and I hope everything is sorted out soon.
"It's all in the hands of my agent, and I can't really say any more."
Taylor, who was born in Greenwich but brought up on Tyneside, has never made any secret of his desire to stay with the club he supported as a boy.
However, his existing deal, which is due to expire at the end of next season, made him one of the lowest earners among the first-team regulars.
His agent Leon Angel has been trashing out new terms with vice-president (player recruitment) Tony Jimenez in recent weeks in London with the latter in close contact with Llambias up at St James' Park.
It is understood the new deal would put Taylor on a par with fellow youngsters James Milner and Charles N'Zogbia, who signed improved contracts under the previous regime.
The news will delight manager Kevin Keegan, who is also keen for the club to tie up £17million striker Michael Owen and keeper Steve Harper.
Talks with Owen's representatives are under way with the England international under contract for another year, although they are being held against the background of suggestions that Ashley is determined to cut expenditure on wages, and that could prove a key factor.
In the shorter-term, the Magpies continue to work on their summer transfer targets with Keegan now back in harness ahead of his squad's return to pre-season training on July 7.
He and Llambias met on Monday to discuss the current state of play amid a tide of speculation, but no visible progress to date.
But Taylor's retention and a decision that midfielder Milner is not for sale represent a positive start to what could prove an eventful month or two for the Magpies.
Meanwhile, Newcastle today announced details of their pre-season programme, which includes fixtures against Hertha Berlin and Valencia.
They will start with short trips to Hartlepool on Saturday, July 19 and Doncaster a week later before heading off to play Hertha and Real Mallorca in the Mallorca Summer Cup.
Spanish outfit Valencia are due at St James' on Saturday, August 9, and another home fixture could be added during that week.
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Comment 1 - 10 of 10
does any one no the second name of that great young prospect from the grey horse his name was chris, i think he played cricket aswell, he was meant to be the next big thing in north east football, he will be in his early 30s now.
I heard Halliday shouted the drinks in at the Grey Mackem and then scooted to Australia without paying. He was truly a gifted player but if he could've tracked defenders as accurately as he tracked down the trendiest bars, he would've represented his country. Taylors got a great future behind him.
fantastic news really taylor is a future newcastle captain gives a 110% every game and is a loyal geordie (even tho he woz born in london) i mean how many players go mad when they score for the toon, step up STEVEN TAYLOR give him the contract he deserves
tell halliday he also owes mrs stevens a wine as well?
charles,fish face couldnt lace chris hedworths boots,mind you those players you have mentioned are better than the canniballs we have had lately p.s. tell halliday he also owes my mate welsh peter a pint
Willoughby, you are mixing up "Halliday" with "Peter fishface haddock", true Halliday did score one against the Chelski Bummers" in 1981, but that was a tap in, "Fish Face was the real "jewel in the crown" until Cox saw the pound signs and sold him to the "Leeds twisters" on the cheap, last sighting of Halliday was down under a few years ago, plus he still owes my mate "Twangers" a beer in the "Grey Mackam"!!!! An easy mistake to make!!!
does anyone know the grey horse in east boldon? cos that seems to be the hang out for some dubious ex footballers from the toon..wes saunders(tool),bruce halliday,nathan murray,and that ian ormondroyd lookalike allan longchin.."the horse" has also seen ian dalziel,matty elliott and lee twangers all ex footballers but clowns in the real world..does anyone know what happened to "BIG CHRIS" cos he had talent to be good player?
charles,taylor is not in the same class as bruce halliday..keeley and gloves saunders could only dream about being half as good as halliday.tall,lean,skillfull,domineering,and rock hard..his goal v the chelsea pansies in 1981 put phillipe alberts goal v man utd to shame,he nutmegged bumstead then curled it into the top corner from 30 yards.at the time alan oliver at the evening mackem said halliday was the new bobby moore,well oliver bruce never stole any jewelrrey from shops like the over-rated cockney did! maybe oliver got saunders mixed up with moore,as they both have records for steling!!!!
Taylor is a fine "prospect" but urgently needs guidance to make that final step up to true greatness,if only the toon had another"Glen Keeley" or "Wes Saunders" to apply their "Beckenbauer" learnings, then Taylor would be set for stardom!!! With respect, the "Donkeys" like Bramble, Boombong, Gayfaye and Hufadufa could not lace these "Legends" boots!!! Well done Ashley!!! Now just sack wise so we can all enjoy our summer hols in peace!!!
Charles.
great news Taylor will be a major defender in the near future - now, who else are we going to get & more importantly when are the dross going to be offloaded?
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