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Spain: Deportivo's Luque to join Newcastle for 14 million euros [Fri Aug 26th, 2005]
Madrid (Reuters) - Deportivo La Coruna have agreed to sell Spain striker Albert Luque to Newcastle United for 14 million euros (US$17.18 million).
Primera Liga club Deportivo said the transfer was finalised late and that the player had been given permission to travel to Newcastle to undergo a medical.
Depor president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro said the deal had been closed "on (financial) conditions very different to those that had originally been offered".
The 27-year-old Luque will sign a five-year contract with his new club, according to Spanish media reports.
Newcastle's decision to sign Luque seems to signal an end to their bid to sign Michael Owen from Real Madrid.
The English Premier League club had agreed a club-record fee of 15 million pounds (US$27 million) with Real to sign the England striker.
But Owen appeared reluctant to move on a permanent basis, preferring to hold out for a possible move to his former club Liverpool.
Newcastle's signing of Luque marks an end to their search for a strike partner for Alan Shearer.
The Tyneside club, who are managed by former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder Graeme Souness, have only one point from their opening three league games and are yet to score this season.
Luque joined Deportivo from Real Mallorca in 2002 for 15 million euros.
He has always been a regular in Depor's first team and was the Galician side's top scorer with 11 goals last season.
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