Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi could yet play his football in the Premier League next season.

It is understood promoted West Brom have expressed an interest in the 26-year-old, who is due to return from his honeymoon next week.

However, they may have to come up with a package of up to £4million to secure a player who has attracted much interest this summer.

Nigeria-born Ameobi has already rejected the chance to join Albion's fellow Premier League new boys Stoke, where he spent part of last season on loan, while Ipswich too had agreed a deal with the Magpies before deciding to look elsewhere.

Norwich manager Glenn Roeder, who worked with the former England Under-21 international during his time in charge at St James' Park, remains an admirer.

However, his transfer kitty is such that he is unlikely to be able to compete for Ameobi's signature at that sort of price.

Ameobi has made 230 senior appearances, 95 of them as a substitute, for Newcastle after emerging from the club's Academy, scoring 46 goals in the process.

However, injury and a lack of form on his return last season meant he managed only four starts and a further four games from the bench.

Manager Kevin Keegan also has Michael Owen, Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins and Andy Carroll in his squad, although the Australian could yet miss the start of the campaign with an Achilles problem and speculation persists over the continued presence of both Owen and Martins on Tyneside, despite the England man's revelation that talks over an extended stay are ongoing.

But with owner Mike Ashley looking to streamline the club's spending, Ameobi has become surplus to requirements and seems certain to join the like of Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage, James Troisi, Lamine Diatta and Emre in leaving St James'.

Turkey international Emre's move to Fenerbahce is yet to go through, although the deal is not expected to be scuppered by the news that he will have to make himself available for national service on his return to his home country.

Emre, 27, will only have to complete 21 days' basic training because he has lived abroad for more than three years, and that is expected to take place after he formally joins Fenerbahce.

Meanwhile, midfielder Geremi will finally begin his summer break at the weekend after the last of Cameroon's four World Cup qualifiers.

The 29-year-old's season has been extended by his international commitments, which draw to a close with Saturday's clash with Tanzania.

Geremi finished the domestic campaign on a high after winning back his place in the Newcastle team following the departure of the man who signed him, appointed him captain and then took the armband from him, Sam Allardyce.

Keegan restored Geremi to the starting line-up following his performances for his country at the African Nations Cup finals in Ghana, a move that brought back his trademark smile.

Geremi said: "The manager says I smile a lot, and that is especially true when we get results.

"You cannot put a price on it when you have fought and got a result.

"You remember, we had a bad period and it was very difficult. We tried to work hard, but it's not easy for any footballer when you play and work hard, but at the end of the day, you don't have a result.

"Now, even when we are not playing very well, we have a good spirit. It has helped us and we can have confidence for next season."

Geremi and his team-mates will find at least one new face at the training ground when they return for pre-season.

Former Magpies and Celtic midfielder Alan Thompson has joined the Academy staff to work with the club's up-and-coming talent.

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