Newcastle United are chasing Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe.
Defoe's future at White Hart Lane is again in doubt after the £10.9million arrival of Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov.
Toon boss Glenn Roeder is a big admirer of Defoe, 23, having worked with him for two years at West Ham.
Chairman Freddy Shepherd has assured the manager there is money to spend, providing some squad members at St James' Park are sold.
And Roeder believes a combination of Michael Owen and Defoe would be a potent force in the Premiership next term.
Defoe, who is on England's World Cup stand-by list, was part of the Hammers squad that was relegated under Roeder three years ago.
The striker immediately asked for a transfer and joined Spurs in a £7m deal.
The relationship between the pair did not always run smoothly but this week Roeder cleared Defoe of any blame by claiming there had been too much pressure placed on him that year.
Defoe's future at White Hart Lane is again in doubt after the £10.9million arrival of Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov.
Toon boss Glenn Roeder is a big admirer of Defoe, 23, having worked with him for two years at West Ham.
Chairman Freddy Shepherd has assured the manager there is money to spend, providing some squad members at St James' Park are sold.
And Roeder believes a combination of Michael Owen and Defoe would be a potent force in the Premiership next term.
Defoe, who is on England's World Cup stand-by list, was part of the Hammers squad that was relegated under Roeder three years ago.
The striker immediately asked for a transfer and joined Spurs in a £7m deal.
The relationship between the pair did not always run smoothly but this week Roeder cleared Defoe of any blame by claiming there had been too much pressure placed on him that year.
