Nile Ranger set for Newcastle United Exit

NILE RANGER is set for a shock summer exit from St James’ after Newcastle chiefs told the England under-20 striker to find a new club.

Despite handing him a five-year deal last year, Alan Pardew informed Ranger last week he is not in his plans.

United chiefs believe he needs a new start to reinvigorate his fledgling career and believe only a PERMANENT move away from the North East will give him that.

He was informed a loan – on the table last summer – is out of the question, and the club have already knocked back one proposal that involved a six-month temporary switch with the option of a permanent deal at the end of it.

Newcastle have put a price tag in excess of £1m on his head, and there has been initial interest from Bolton and QPR.

Neither has made a formal offer yet and, if he doesn’t find a new club – still a possibility – he will head back to Tyneside for pre-season on July 4 to face an uncertain future.

Getting the axe from Newcastle is a crushing blow for Ranger.

A Dennis Wise signing, Ranger burst on to the scene in 2009 with a series of brilliant displays for the Academy and reserve side. He quickly graduated to the senior side and scored some vital goals during the Championship season.

But there have been a number of run-ins over Ranger’s discipline, and last month he was splashed over the front of a newspaper holding a replica gun.

Despite that setback, his attitude had improved dramatically of late, and there have even been positive noises from Pardew about his improved approach.

United have drawn up a five-man striker hit-list that is still topped by Lorient forward Kevin Gameiro.

And United had scouts at Wembley yesterday, watching Swiss goal hero Tranquillo Barnetta.

The Sunday Sun has been told there is no interest in Swansea midfielder Darren Pratley and that Dimitar Berbatov is NOT a target.