Steven Taylor's contract delays at Newcastle United has sparked a mad scramble in the Premiership.
The Evening Chronicle says Taylor turned down Newcastle's offer of a new contract last month and within hours of the news breaking, Chelsea assistant manager Steve Clarke was in touch with his many contacts in the North East checking out what the situation with Taylor was.
Not only that, but Taylor spent the Christmas and New Year of 2003-04 playing for Tony Adams in his time as manager of Wycombe Wanderers.
The respect between the pair of them is mutual and Adams, who will be at St James's Park with Portsmouth on Saturday, would bust a gut to line Taylor up alongside Sol Campbell at Fratton Park.
But Taylor added: "All I am thinking of is winning my place back with Newcastle United.
"As far as my contract is concerned, I am leaving that to other people to sort out and I am concentrating on my football."
