Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce is preparing for the possible exit of Michael Owen by lining up a move for Sevilla striker Fredi Kanoute.
Owen has been linked with a £9m summer move away from St James' Park, despite only joining the Magpies for £16m in August 2005.
The England frontman has endured a troubled time with injuries on Tyneside, and Allardyce may be prepared to cut his losses and instead swoop for a player who has been prolific in La Liga in the last two seasons.
Kanoute moved to Seville from Tottenham for £4.4m in August 2005 and has been a revelation - the Spanish outfit claiming back-to-back UEFA Cup wins and pushing for the title this season.
Indeed the 29-year-old's agent told the News of the World: "It's true Newcastle are interested. There's no concrete offer yet but Fredi is interested."
The Mali international would certainly strengthen an already impressive forward line at St James' should Owen leave, with Obafemi Martins already on the books and the recent arrival of Mark Viduka from Middlesbrough.
source:teamtalk