Keegan Set To Make Deco Push This Week

The Portuguese playmaker was the subject of interest from the Magpies last summer, when they also made an enquiry about the injured Edmílson.

There have been reports over the last few days that the Portuguese international is once again being eyed at Tyneside, and a concrete approach will be made this week.

With his first game out of the way, Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan will start working on his transfers this week, and it is understood that he wants Deco to run the show from midfield as he tries to orchetrate free-flowing football.

Deco has a contract with Barça until 2010, but has already hinted that he may ask to leave at the end of the current season to try his luck in England.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Newcastle have drawn up a list of potential signings that could be concluded before the end of this month, and Deco is at the top of the pile.

The likes of Tottenham's Jermain Defoe, Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Bridge, Celtic's Scott Brown, Bayern's Daniel van Buyten and Manchester United's Wes Brown are also on the wish-list.

With Newcastle owner Mike Ashley ready to splash the cash after promising Keegan money to come back as manager, but how many will arrive in January is open to debate.

Barcelona will be unlikely to even consider allowed Deco to hold talks with the Magpies mid-season as the club are still involved in three competitions, but a summer sale is very much a possibility. It is unclear, though, whether Keegan will want to wait that long.