Keegan wanted Becks for Newcastle before he quit

London, Sept.7 : Coach Kevin Keegan wanted the Newcastle Football club to fork out 200 million pounds for recruiting superstars David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard before he spectacularly quit on Thursday.

"These were the players Keegan really wanted and he didn't seem to care about how much they would cost. But the reaction of the board was 'no chance - we're not spending that sort of money on players like these," The Sun quoted a club insider, as saying.

"As far as Mr. Ashley (club owner) was concerned, he didn't want players that would cost so much. He wanted Keegan to find unknown youngsters who would become the next Beckham and Lampard of their generation," he added.

Meanwhile, Reliance Communications tycoon Anil Ambani is ready to take advantage of the Keegan debacle by buying Ashley out.

Sources say he is likely to offer 300 million pounds in the belief that with Ashley facing a fans' revolt over Keegan's resignation, he could be more willing to sell.

Ambani's personal fortune is 21.5 billion dollars.

ANI