Obafemi gets pay
rise at Newcastle - Denied by Stoke City
03.07.2009
READY TO UNLEASH ---Serena Williams
returns a backhand, during her semi-final
match against Elena Dementieva, on
Thursday,
at the All England Lawn
Tennis and Croquet
Club. Serena won
6-7 (4), 7-5, 8-6 to set up
a final clash
against her elder sister, Venus,
tomorrow.
Photo: Getty Images NIGERIAN international, Obafemi Martins was late for the first day of training at demoted Newcastle United on Wednesday - but still bagged a pay rise.
The striker's wages in the Championship will go up from £60,000 to £65,000 a week under the deal he signed three years ago when he joined from Italian side, Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, Stoke City chairman, Peter Coates, has rejected reports the Potters could be set to swoop for the Nigerian striker.
The Nigerian international is one of a host of players expected to leave St James' Park this summer following the club's relegation to the Championship.
But while Stoke is in the market for a new forward - and has confirmed its interest in Martin's former team-mate, Michael Owen - it has no interest in the former Inter Milan striker.
Coates told the Sentinel: "There's nothing in that one. We haven't had contact or discussions about him at all.
"I don't know where the story has come from, but there is no substance to it. "I don't bother about the speculation. It is normal. I think our fans know we don't go in for publicity stunts."
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