Reports in the press suggest Newcastle have joined Sunderland in the race for Blackburn's highly rated young star David Dunn.

As exclusively revealed by Northeastsoccer last week, Peter Reid has been watching Dunn since the start of the season, and is rumored to be weighing a bid up for the U21 England International. However, it now seems Sunderland have competition from North East rivals Newcastle.

Blackburn today denied that they would be prepared to let Dunn go for a good price, but its hard to see how a club like Blackburn could hold onto him. Newcastle boss Bobby Robson is said to want a left-hand side wide man, and Dunn certainly fits the bill. Still only 20, it would be a magnificent investment for any club, but he would not come cheap.

It is unlikely that Blackburn would listen to any offers below £10 Million, and that price would be classed as a gamble for either Reid or Robson, since Dunn is still a rookie. Whatever happens though it seems Dunn may leave Ewood Park at the end of the season. Expect a whole host of Premiership clubs to join the race before then.