Newcastle have been linked with a winter loan move for Real Madrid star David Beckham.

Midfielder Beckham, 32, who was this weekend recalled by England, is currently at the centre of speculation over whether or not he could be allowed to return to the Barclays Premiership on a temporary basis from LA Galaxy during the American closed season, with Newcastle among a series of clubs to have expressed an interest.

Sources within St James' Park have privately not ruled out the possibility of a three-month loan move, and Allardyce is an acknowledged admirer of the midfielder.

In the meantime, however, he will concentrate on the task of starting his rebuilding work, something which could happen soon.

Allardyce, who spent much of his break in France last week on the end of a telephone, said: "We have already had lots of meetings and talked about future plans for new players here.

"Those talks are continuing and we are close to making a breakthrough in the not too distant future.

"Everybody here is working together to take the club forward."

Allardyce's financial clout may alter radically if Ashley gets his way, but it would be no surprise if his first signing was a free transfer with Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim and Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka high on his list.

Both men are out of contract and in demand, but the manager's relationship with the former and the Magpies' prolonged pursuit of the latter could work in their favour.

Newcastle are also being credited with a renewed interest in Liverpool frontman Peter Crouch, a man who was identified as a target by former boss Glenn Roeder back in January.

However, much will depend on what happens with £17million Michael Owen, who met Allardyce for the first time last Wednesday night with speculation mounting over his future.

But if Owen's situation remains unresolved for now, it appears that Obafemi Martins has cleared the air after his no-show at Watford on the final day of the season.

The 22-year-old could be in trouble with the Nigerian FA after failing to turn up for a friendly against Kenya in preparation for an African Nations Cup clash with Uganda on June 2.

But Allardyce has assured the former Inter Milan star he remains part of his plans and the pair will hold further talks when he returns to Tyneside after the summer.

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