But Tottenham Hotspur boss Juande Ramos must first be persuaded to offload the 22-year-old winger if Lennon is to become Kevin Keegan's first signing.

It was reported yesterday that Newcastle were close to a deal for Lennon, who is on a shortlist of targets put together by Keegan.

And a source close to the player has indicated he would be interested in a move to St James's Park if he was to become surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane.

But, as yet, no formal contact has been made with the north London club regarding Lennon.

And Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez, in charge of player recruitment, will have to work hard to prise Lennon away from Ramos, who is keen to hold on to the England international, who is contracted to Spurs until 2012.

However, Ramos – who beat Newcastle to the signing of Luka Modric and Jonathan Woodgate last season – could be tempted by a sizeable offer, with Valencia's David Villa the latest player to be linked with a move to the big-spending club.

Keegan, who is back from his summer holiday, is keen to bring in a number of new faces after seeing several players leave since the final day of the season.

Wise and Jimenez are casting their net wide, but Keegan is keen that at least some of his new recruits are established Premier League performers, and Leeds-born Lennon – a former Leeds United team-mate of Mark Viduka, James Milner and Alan Smith – is one such player.

It is unclear whether a deal could be done with Tottenham for Lennon which would see Charles N'Zogbia going the other way.

N'Zogbia's agent claimed the 22-year-old wanted to join Spurs in January, but the signing of Modric – also a another left-sided midfielder – appeared to close the door on such a move.