Versatile Smith looks like being one of United's most sought-after players, despite failing to find the net in his first season at the club, and Gareth Southgate is leading the queue to sign him.

And should Southgate succeed in his bid to take the 27-year-old to the Riverside Stadium, then it will be a case of second time lucky.

He tried to sign Smith last year when he left Manchester United, but the striker opted to join Sam Allardyce at St James's Park in a £6m deal.

Rangers are also interested in Smith – who returned to the starting XI after an eight-game absence for Newcastle's final game of the season away to Everton on Sunday – but the Ibrox club will struggle to match his United wages, understood to be £62,000 a week.

Southgate was seen at last Friday's Sir Bobby Robson charity dinner at St James's Park having a long talk with owner Mike Ashley, who famously wore a Smith No 17 shirt to a number of games.

However, it is not clear whether Smith – a former England team-mate of Southgate's – was brought up in their conversation.

And in any case, should Southgate firm up his interest, then he would go directly to Keegan – or to London-based duo Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez, who are overseeing the club's recruitment of players.

For his part, Keegan would be reluctant to let Smith leave St James's Park, as he has been impressed with his contribution both on and off the pitch since returning in January.

But with limited funds available to rebuild his squad, one way of increasing his transfer budget would be to let one or two players go, and Smith is among the most saleable.

Meanwhile, talks are expected soon on first-team coach Steve Round's position, with Sam Allardyce's former assistant yet to be offered a new contract, and his present deal running out at the end of next month.