Newcastle have dismissed reports linking David Beckham with a move to St James' Park.
Kevin Keegan replaced Sam Allardyce as Magpies manager last week and is now looking to strengthen his squad before the close of the transfer window.
A number of high-profile names have already been linked with moves to Newcastle and speculation has suggested that Beckham was one of those firmly in Keegan's sights.
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder has been training with Arsenal in recent weeks during the Major League Soccer off-season.
He played under Keegan for England and it was reported that Newcastle were lining up a short-term deal for him.
However, Newcastle chairman Chris Mort has rubbished the story.
"There's no truth Newcastle United are interested in signing David Beckham," Mort said.
DAVID BECKHAM L A GALAXY
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has conceded Michael Owen is likely to miss the start of the new season with a thigh problem.
Owen picked up a thigh injury in pre-season training and the problem is failing to respond to treatment.
The England international has endured an injury-ravaged two seasons on Tyneside playing just three games last season.
Allardyce has admitted Owen is set to sit out next week's Premier League opener at Bolton as the injury is more serious than first thought.
"It doesn't look as encouraging as we first thought," Allardyce told the Daily Mail.
"The tear in the muscle hasn't healed as quickly as we would like, so there's no point in making any rash decisions just to get him fit for the start of the season.
"It's about getting him 100 per cent for playing matches on a regular basis. That's why it has been more disappointing for him that he's missed pre-season games more than training.
"He's done enough training to last him a lifetime."
Newcastle United are understood to be closing in on the signature of Sevilla defender Ivica Dragutinovic.
The Magpies and Manchester City have both made contact, but it is Sam Allardyce who looks like winning the race to land the imposing stopper.
Sevilla have agreed to let Dragutinovic leave and a deal close to £2.5million is set to be agreed.
Ready for move.
"This is the financial opportunity of my life and do not want to reject it," Dragutinovic said.
The Uefa Cup holders have also agreed to sign Brazilian striker Igor Siqueira Pessanha on a five-year deal.
The Brazilian defender left the French champions at the end of last season after refusing to sign a new contract.
He has been holding discussions with The Magpies over the past few days and Sam Allardyce hopes to complete a deal for the centre-half.
"He is a top player and we will be delighted if we can pull this off as we regard him as a big capture," the Newcastle boss told the Evening Chronicle.
"Our fans should not be put off by the fact they may not have heard of Cacapa because he has certainly been heard of in Brazil and France.
This is a terrific capture, should it go through!!!!!
"He has been captain of Lyon for the past five years and for every one of those five years they won the French title, so obviously he has a lot of Champions League experience.
"That's why we are hoping that everything goes okay with his medical and that we can agree a deal with his people because we believe he would be a terrific capture for us.
"Unfortunately, he has been back in Brazil and he has had no pre-season work, and in normal circumstances we would not consider him for our opening game at Bolton Wanderers a week on Saturday, but it all depends on what type of injuries we have."
Allardyce has been desperate to strengthen his defence over the summer, having only added David Rozehnal to his back-line to date.
Newcastle are also in talks to sign Alan Smith after agreeing a deal with Manchester United for the striker
The former Leeds United forward has fallen down the pecking order under Sir Alex Ferguson and is keen to secure first-team football.
Middlesbrough were thought to be leading the chase for the England international, but The Magpies have now moved to the head of the queue.
Sam Allardyce is keen to strengthen his squad and is set to boost his transfer kitty after agreeing a fee with West Ham for pacey midfielder Kieron Dyer.
"I am hoping that the Alan Smith deal will go through on Thursday," Allardyce told the Evening Chronicle.
"He has other clubs to consider and I am hoping we are top of his list."
Smith made just nine Premier League appearances for The Red Devils last term after recovering from the broken leg suffered against Liverpool.
A move to St James' Park could see Smith renew his partnership with Mark Viduka, whom he played alongside during their days at Elland Road.
Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce sent out the warning after unveiling Cameroon defender Geremi, as his latest defensive signing.
"Babayaro did not figure that much last year, but I want to help him compete more," Allardyce said.
"We can help him become fitter, stronger and better so he can take part more in the last year of his contract."
The Newcastle manager signed Cameroon international Geremi on a free transfer from Chelsea and Czech Republic international centre-back David Rozehnal from Paris St Germain in a bid to rebuild his defence.
However, Allardyce maintains there could still be room for the Nigerian left-back Babayaro, whose days at St James' Park had appeared to be numbered.
Allardyce said: "We will continue to move forward in the defensive areas.
"We have got few defenders at the club because I let go one or two who were out of contract.
"That has left a big hole in that area and we have got to fill it with the best quality players we can find.
"The left-back spot will be one of those positions we will fill, but obviously, Babayaro is still with us and has a chance."
Michael Owen insists he is happy to stay at Newcastle United and is ignoring rumours about his future.
The Magpies have expressed fears that the England striker could activate a buy-out clause in his contract and leave St James' Park over the summer.
Owen has been linked with a reunion with former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, although the Swede has played down any interest.
And Owen has revealed he has not been driving the transfer speculation, and is looking forward to the season under new Magpies boss Sam Allardyce.
"I believe that these can be good times to be at Newcastle, which is why I am more than happy to be here," Owen told the Times.
"There has been plenty of speculation about my future, but I can assure the Newcastle fans that I didn't start any of it.
"There was a lot of talk from other quarters and my attitude to rumour has always been to ignore it.
"I don't really feel that I should be responding all the time to stories in the newspapers and I certainly didn't want to be forced into making comments.
"I prefer to let my actions speak for themselves and I just wish there had been more opportunities to show the Newcastle fans what I am capable of.
"I am sure that is to come this season."
The versatile Cameroon international joined The Magpies on a free transfer on Tuesday after signing a three-year deal on Tyneside.
Geremi found his first team chances restricted at Chelsea and has revealed that talks with Allardyce convinced him that a return to the North East, where he once played with Middlesbrough, was in his best interests.
"I am delighted to join Newcastle and I am very, very pleased with this move," said Geremi.
"This, like Chelsea, is a big club and a great football club. They have passionate fans and I look forward to playing for them.
"I was impressed with Sam Allardyce too. I was impressed with what he has done in football and his knowledge of other teams and players.
"It's a great move for me."
Late this afternoon Joey Barton finally sealed a 5 year deal at Newcastle United.
There were ranglings about a £300,000 fee that was to be paid as compensation as Manchester City argued that Barton had deliberately ended his contract with them.
The fee, reluctantly, has been paid and now Barton is the second player to join the Big Sam rejuvenation of the St. James Park outfit.
The deal - which went through as £5.8m - sees Barton arrive at Newcastle after a torrid few months in which saw Barton in court for attacking Ousamane Dabo whilst in training with the Man City squad. Recently Barton has been under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Hopefully Allardyce - who has a great reputation for taking on troubled players will straighten out the rough edges whilst keeping the skilll and commitment that deserved Barton his recent first England cap.
Great news for Sam Allardyce and Newcastle fans today which saw another of Sams targets - Tal Ben Haim - sign for Chelsea, after looking good for signing for Newcastle - it transpired that Chelsea was too good an offer for Ben Haim to refuse.
Sam was disappointed not to sign him but will now turn his attention to other targets.
It is reputed that Sam will get in a new back four as well as utilising Steven Taylor and Peter Ramage et al.
At least it is early enough for Sam to look elsewhere and, hopefully, we will not see any last minute deals go through as per the last manager Glenn Roeder.
Viduka's record:
Years Club App (Gls)*
1993-1995 Melbourne Knights 048 (40)
1995-1998 Croatia Zagreb 082 (40)
1998-2000 Celtic 037 (30)
2000-2004 Leeds United 130 (59)
2004-2007 Middlesbrough 103 (43)
2007- Newcastle United
He will be a perfect foil for strikers Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins and will guarantee goals as his record above shows.
Sam Allardyce is also close to sealing the move for Joey Barton from Manchester City and has also voiced his interest in central defender Tal Ben Haim , who is out of contract with Allardyces' previous club Bolton Wanderers.
Ben Haim may be swayed to play for his former boss - the bonus for Toon is he available on free transfer!!!
Get in there Sam!
