YOU too can buy into the foot balling mystique of Alan Shearer, the new £15 million sterling man recently signed by Premier League team Newcastle United, if the club, as expected, offers its shares to the public. The club, owned by property developer John Hall, is considering a stock market flotation as one of several options to fund its growth plans.

Analysts this week valued any listing at around £160 million sterling, suggesting a decision to go public has already been reached, with a flotation possibly later this year.

Shearer's signing is expected to greatly enhance Newcastle's chances of a successful stock market offering. One broker suggested that the player could open his account by investing part of his £1.5 million salary with his new employer. With a prestige player like Shearer now in the Newcastle strip, the club has an opportunity to enhance merchandising income, harnessing the allure of the player as a cash generating asset. Shearer's prowess, both on the field and as a face on retail products, should allow the estimated £22.5 million outlay to be quickly recouped. Should Shearer's skills on the field take Newcastle into Europe, the investment could be money well spent.