NEWCASTLE. Feb 1: The future of Faustino Asprilla remained shrouded in doubt here on Wednesday after Newcastle refused to confirm they had signed the controversial Columbian striker from Italian side Parma, reports AFP.

The 26-year-old Asprilla appeared to be on the verge of signing for the Premiership leaders last week but reports have surfaced in England and Italy that the 6.7 million pound move (about 11 million dollars) was dead.

A Parma press spokesman earlier denied reports in the Italian press that Newcastle were backing out of the deal.

He said: “There is no problem as far as we are concerned. Asprilla signed a contract with Newcastle and therefore he will play in England." But Newcastle chief executive Freddie Fletcher emerged from a lengthy board meeting at ST James's Park to deliver a tense "no comment."

A spokesman for the British department of employment did confirm they had received a request for a work permit for the player.

"Newcastle submitted an application for a work permit for Asprilla on Monday and we are working on that." said a spokesman.