Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is looking to tie up a deal for Barcelona defender Edmilson after the player indicated he is willing to move to Tyneside.
Allardyce, chairman Freddy Shepherd's son Kenneth and European scout Paul Montgomery flew to Catalonia after Barca president Joan Laporta gave Newcastle permission to talk to the player.
The 30-year-old Brazilian World Cup winner, who can also play a midfield holding role, is currently sidelined after knee surgery and is likely to be out for between four and six months.
However, Allardyce is still keen on the player and the Magpies believe he could play in October or November.
He has a year left on his existing contract but Newcastle are confident they can land him for a nominal fee.
The club have inquired too, about striker Eidur Gudjohnsen's situation with Thierry Henry's arrival from Arsenal sparking fresh speculation his days at the Nou Camp could be numbered.
The Iceland international, who has also been linked with derby rivals Sunderland and Manchester United this summer, worked briefly under Allardyce at Bolton.
Newcastle currently have five senior forwards on the books - Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins, Mark Viduka, Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll - but uncertainty over Owen and Martins, who both have get-out clauses in their contracts, has left the manager waiting anxiously to discover their plans.
However, Allardyce is hopeful of retaining both men as he closes in on fresh targets after capturing Viduka, Joey Barton and, in all but name, David Rozehnal, with Chelsea defender Geremi and Marseille skipper Habib Beye now in his sights.
