Newcastle United will use most of the £7 million they will get from Parma for Faustino Asprilla to fund the signing of the Everton captain Gary Speed. Dalglish's first bid to land the Welsh international midfielder a fortnight ago failed only because he was unable to meet Everton's asking price of £6.5 million.
Speed is anxious to join Newcastle and will happily leave the club which he has supported since childhood just 18 months after his arrival from Leeds United.
Shortly before Christmas, Dalglish offered Everton a £5.5 million package which consisted of a cash payment of £4 million, plus the unsettled Newcastle defender Darren Peacock. The Everton manager, Howard Kendall, is more than to content to sign Peacock but is demanding an improved cash adjustment of £5 million.
Newcastle last night confirmed that they have given Asprilla permission to talk to Parma about a move back to the Italian club. Newcastle said that Asprilla has asked for a move - a request reluctantly granted by the club.
Dalglish, who confirmed the club had signed former Metz central defender David Terrier, said he was disappointed at Asprilla's decision. However, he added that if the Colombian wanted to leave there was not much the club could do about it.
Dalglish also claimed that if he had known that Asprilla would leave during the season he would not have sold Les Ferdinand to Tottenham for £6 million.
A Parma spokesman admitted yesterday that a deal had yet to be agreed. "Parma are interested and Tino is interested in coming back. But we have not yet reached any agreement with Newcastle. In this case the wedding is between three persons."
Kevin Keegan yesterday challenged Dalglish to spend Asprilla's transfer money on players who will excite the Newcastle fans the way the Colombian has.
"I fetched him and a lot of people blamed him for losing us the championship, which was totally unfair. People questioned why he came. He was bought for the Newcastle fans not for anyone else and they will be very sad to see him go.
"They will miss him, but if Kenny thinks that is right then as long as he spends the money on another player of equal standing who maybe can bring Newcastle more success than they are enjoying at the moment I think the fans will put up with it.
"It is who he buys now that matters. When I sold Andy Cole, once I had explained the reasons all the fans wanted to know was who I was going to buy - and that's what is important for Newcastle now."
The situation has left Geordie fans bemused - and apprehensive. Independent Supporters' Association spokesman John Regan said: "I'm convinced Kenny has somebody lined up - but I said that when he sold Ferdinand. If you sell a player of Tino's quality you must replace him."
Whatever the outcome of the current saga he will have no regrets over his two years on Tyneside. The Colombian has been touched by the adulation of Geordie fans and said yesterday: "It has made me happy that they love me so much."
