Newcastle today confirmed they have entered into negotiations with Ipswich for the transfer of 19-year-old midfielder Darren Ambrose.

Sir Bobby Robson has been trailing the £2.5million-rated youngster and team-mate Darren Bent for several months, but now the Magpies have formalised their interest by making an approach to his former club.

"Newcastle United can confirm that they are in talks with Ipswich Town regarding the transfer of Darren Ambrose," said a spokesman.

The teenager would be the third Ipswich player to make the switch to St James' Park in recent years following Kieron Dyer and Titus Bramble, and would take the total United have handed over to the Suffolk club for the three men to around £13million.

It would also confirm Robson's recent policy of buying young and, where possible, buying British.

Jermaine Jenas, Hugo Viana and Bramble are his three most recent acquisitions and the defender at 22 is the oldest.

Newcastle are busily building a squad which has cover in every position as they attempt to establish themselves as a force not only in the Premiership, but also in Europe.

The extent to which they have managed to do so in recent years was reflected by Viana's comments during the week about his lack of opportunities since making an £8.5million move to England, although Robson is adamant that the creation of a squad of 22 top-class players is the only way forward.

Ipswich, who went into voluntary administration last month, have also agreed in principle to sell Icelandic defender Hermann Hreidarsson to First Division leaders Portsmouth.

Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks said last night: "These sales were a necessity in our current situation and the matter was largely out of our hands.

"Supporters will be disappointed about the need to sell when we are so close to the play-offs. No matter how much we wish it were different, regrettably financial institutions only work on certainty and not on hope value.

"We still have a strong team and we all hope that in the face of this adversity we can still challenge for and gain a play-off spot."