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Newcastle hold off Spurs and Villa to win race for United striker Smith
Last updated at 10:23am on 22.06.07Newcastle have won the race to sign Manchester United outcast Alan Smith in a deal worth around £3.5million.
Toon boss Sam Allardyce made his move for Smith after the England striker made public his dismay at not being offered a new deal by United.
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On target: But Alan Smith's future at Manchester United has not been assured by Sir Alex Ferguson
But the Daily Mirror reports Allardyce failed in his bid to make it a United trio at Newcastle after the Old Trafford hierarchy rebuffed his attempts to sign defensive duo Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre.
Smith revealed his desire to stay at Old Trafford only last week but admitted he had received no assurances about his future from Sir Alex Ferguson, a revelation which sparked a scramble for his signature.
Despite his reluctance to leave United following a £7million move from Leeds in 2004, Smith has been assured of regular football at Newcastle under Allardyce, something Fergie could not give him at Old Trafford.
And Smith is said to be relishing the challenge to prove he can get back to the level he was at before breaking a leg at Liverpool in February 2006, which ruled him out for seven months.
A host of Premiership clubs including Tottenham and Aston Villa made clear their interest in signing Smith but Newcastle have won the race.
