Newcastle Untied Transfer News: Ricardo Carvalho To St. James' Park?

Newcastle United are ready to make a surprise move for veteran Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho, according to The Daily Mail. The 34-year-old Portugese defender made just eight appearances at the Bernebeu last term and was not included in Madrid's recent pre-season tour. New Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has been pursuing a possible move to bring the former Chelsea defender to White Hart Lane as a replacement for the retired Ledley King but the move has stalled in recent weeks. Reports are that Real did want to use Carvalho as part of a makeway deal for Spurs midfielder Luka Modric but the North London club instead were adamant on a straight money deal for their prized asset, perhaps as high as £40 million. Despite being left out of Madrid's recent first team plans, the defender has claimed that he isn't ready to retire just yet, though he could be persuaded to move into coaching. Newcastle currently have three experienced centre-halves in the squad with Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor and Mike Williamson but with Taylor's proneness to injury and Alan Pardew's prior criticisms of the lack of goals from set pieces for his defenders, he is looking to bring in another name. Newcastle have made bids for wantaway FC Twente defender Douglas but The Magpies have yet to agree move for him.