Star trio heading for Toon exit

TOON trio Sebastien Bassong, Habib Beye and Obafemi Martins could all make farewell appearances at St James's Park against Leeds United in front of one of the crisis club's lowest crowds of the decade.

The Chronicle has been informed that Bassong and Beye are close to breaking point in their quests to quit Gallowgate.

And Martins, who pledged to remain on Tyneside earlier this summer, is the subject of advanced interest from Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg, with manager Armin Veh confirming the Nigerian is in his sights and a bid could be made next week.

Martins would be happy to stay on Tyneside after recently enjoying a pay rise that took him up to £65,000 a week - an astronomical amount at second-tier level - for the final two years of his current deal.

But United would not stand in the way if the Champions League- bound Germans lodged a £6m bid.

Ideally caretaker boss Chris Hughton is praying for the closure of the transfer window so he can hold on to what he sees as a strong enough squad to win promotion at the first time of asking.

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