The 25-year-old – who joined the Tynesiders from Real Mallorca last summer – is one of the players the relegated Magpies are looking to move on to reduce a crippling wage bill.

Newcastle, however, would prefer a cash deal for Gutierrez, who was the first signing of Kevin Keegan's second spell as manager.

The Argentina international caught the imagination of St James's Park fans on his arrival, but, after a bright start – which included a star turn on his debut at Old Trafford – he faded.

Gutierrez, despite his energy on both flanks, struggled to create chances for struggling Newcastle. And supporters never got to see a goal celebration from the player who had hit the headlines in Spain for donning a Spider-man mask after scoring for Mallorca.

Meanwhile, former Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has ruled out a move for out-of-contract striker Michael Owen, citing his injury record.

Now in charge at Blackburn Rovers, Allardyce said: "If he picked up the injuries he did at Newcastle, I couldn't afford that."