Graeme Souness believes Nicolas Anelka is 'desperate' to join Newcastle after just six months in Turkey.
The Fenerbahce striker, 26, would provide pace and power in attack for a Newcastle side who are seeking the right man to partner skipper Alan Shearer in his final season.
Anelka's stay in Turkey has not been the success he had hoped for after leaving Manchester City during January's transfer window.
Souness said in The Times: "I know Nicolas is desperate to come here. I have done a lot of checks on him and everyone is telling me that he has got his head right. Last season was not great for him, but no-one can say that Nicolas Anelka is not a proven, top goalscorer and there are not that many around who are available."
Anelka had spells with Arsenal, City and Liverpool in the Premiership, and has also played abroad for Real Madrid and Paris St Germain, however he has rarely left a club on good terms and Fenerbahce have yet to indicate whether they would allow him to depart.
Souness has not yet been able to replace frontmen Craig Bellamy and Patrick Kluivert, who left for Blackburn and Valencia respectively this summer, and will have limited options for the new season unless he succeeds in bringing in a new forward.
Newcastle begin their season in Slovakia tomorrow with an Intertoto Cup clash with Dubnica.
