Bayern enter chase for LFC target Enrique

Bayern Munich are ready to ­challenge ­Liverpool in the battle to lure Jose Enrique from Newcastle United.

And Toon boss Alan Pardew, already in a fight to hang on to key midfielder Joey Barton, is facing up to the fact that top scorer Kevin Nolan is now a target for West Ham.

It had seemed that ­Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish was in pole position to land ­Enrique this summer, ­despite AC Milan's interest in the ­Spanish left-back.

But Bayern, who can boast a £100million transfer kitty, have other ideas.

Enrique enters the final year of his Newcastle ­contract this summer, and is on record as saying he wants to play Champions League football.

Bayern hope that could swing the deal for them - the ­German giants also believe they will snatch third place in ­the Bundesliga this term and ­qualify for next ­season's Champions League.

Officials from Munich were represented at St James' Park on Tuesday night, watching Enrique in Newcastle's 0-0 draw with Manchester United.

West Ham have been ­checking out 28-year-old Magpies midfielder Nolan recently, and fancy pairing him with Football Writers Player of the Year Scott Parker next ­season if they beat the drop.

Nolan, who has two years of his contract to run, is in talks over a new deal with the Toon top brass.

Barton was on West Ham's radar earlier in the season, and has stalled on his ­contract talks stating: "I'll wait and see if players like Kevin Nolan, Cheik Tiote and Jose Enrique stay.

"If Nolan signs a new deal, I will as well."

Source: Daily Mirror

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