Sammy Ameobis uncertain contract situation has initiated a tug of war for the wingers signature - with Brighton & Hove Albion joining West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the battle for the Newcastle United youth product's signature. West Brom have been linked to the winger, who is the brother of former Newcastle and Crystal Palace striker Shola Ameobi, for an extended period and look likely to firm up their interest this summer. But they will face competition from their Black Country rivals Wolves, who also want to take advantage of the 23-year-olds contract expiring at the end of the season - and now The Argus are reporting that Brighton are interested as well. Seagulls boss Chris Hughton is aiming to be reunited with the player - and believes he can tempt Ameobi to the south coast by convincing the winger he can fulfil his international ambition with Nigeria if he plays regularly in the Championship. The Magpies have offered Ameobi a new deal but he is yet to sign - and that means Newcastle risk losing the former England Under-21 international for a nominal fee, because any club who signs him would be forced to pay some compensation due to the fact the winger is under the age of 24. Wolves want Ameobi as a potential replacement should they lose their 15-goal striker Bakary Sako - who would be an interesting addition to the Magpies squad, it must be said - while the Baggies would like to add greater versatility to their forward line. Ameobi has been, much like his brother, a source of serious frustration on Tyneside since he broke into the first-team squad. At 6ft 4in, he is tall and gangly yet he struggles in the air and, although he can come up with the odd neat trick, his final product is far-too-often found wanting. He has played 53 times in the Premier League for the Magpies, including 21 when coming off the bench, and has scored twice. Ameobi also netted once in nine appearances while on loan at Middlesbrough in the Championship in 2013-14. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
