January 15, 2005 -- Inter Milan are set to rumble Newcastle United's bid for Bayern Munich defender Sammy Kuffour.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has discussed a ?500,000 fee with Bayern for the Ghana international, who is off contract in the summer.

However, Inter supremo Massimo Moratti has made contact with Bayern and is prepared to send midfielder Emre to Germany immediately to secure an agreement for Kuffour.

Moratti's offer is for Kuffour to be secured to Inter in January, but to play out the season at Bayern alongside Emre. Bayern coach Felix Magath is a big fan of Emre's and is happy with the deal.

Also in Inter's favour is Kuffour's Italian agent, Oscar Damiani, who has a good relationship with Moratti.