Sebastien Bassong fined but closer to Newcastle United exit

Sebastien Bassong has been driven closer to a Newcastle exit after being fined two weeks' wages for refusing to play in a pre-season friendly.

The French defender will start a four-club auction for his signature this week as his year-long stay on Tyneside degenerates into acrimony.

Spurs are his favoured destination but Manchester City, Aston Villa and Everton are all interested.

Bassong, who was already disillusioned after criticism from team-mates over his desire for a pay rise or a transfer, will be fined £12,000 as one of the lowest earners in the first-team squad.

Newcastle are holding out for £12million for the 23-year-old previous boss Kevin Keegan spotted and signed last summer for a bargain £500,000. Repeated claims that then executive director Dennis Wise unearthed the youngster are angrily disputed.

Bassong is suspended for Newcastle's first game in the Championship against West Brom at The Hawthorns on Saturday night.

He refused to travel to Dundee last weekend knowing an injury would wreck his chances of a big-money move.

Bassong's certain exit is a further blow to United, and the plan for regeneration managerial that hopeful Alan Shearer left with owner Mike Ashley in May.

Bassong and Habib Beye were on the must-keep list. But Beye is now so disillusioned he insists nothing will change his mind about wanting to quit.

Beye is waiting for Hull to up their offer this week and seal a switch to Phil Brown's outfit, and is not expected to play against West Brom.

Newcastle are no closer to selling up to a new owners, with a source admitting yesterday: "It is the impossible question - it could go through soon or it could take six months."

Spurs are keen to land Bassong because of injuries to Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson.