NEWCASTLE have turned their attention towards Dutch international Patrick Kluivert as they look to sign a new striker before embarking on a pre-season tour of the Far East.

United officials have held preliminary discussions with Kluivert's representatives in Portugal and are poised to meet the player face to face on Tyneside later today.

Sir Bobby Robson is keen to bolster his attacking ranks with Magpies skipper Alan Shearer set to retire at the end of next season.

The Newcastle boss has been a long-standing admirer of Kluivert and is ready to offer him a chance of resurrecting his career at St James' Park.

A United insider last night confirmed: "There has been some contact between the club and Patrick's representatives at Euro 2004, but these talks are only at a preliminary stage and there's a long way to go."

The 28-year-old, who has scored 42 league goals in 90 appearances for Barcelona, has endured a frustrating 12 months after falling out of favour at Camp Nou.

Kluivert struggled to find any kind of form last season, and was eventually dropped as Barcelona rallied to finish second in La Liga.

Things then went from bad to worse last month as he was publicly humiliated by Dick Advocaat.

The Dutch coach refused to play him in any of his side's games at Euro 2004 after Kluivert criticised his decision to play Ruud van Nistelrooy as a lone striker.

Barcelona have told Kluivert to look for new employers, and his agent has spent most of the summer sounding out Europe's leading clubs.

AC Milan turned down the chance of re-signing a player they sold on in 1998, but Middlesbrough opened talks with the striker before Euro 2004.

Kluivert spurned Boro's advances, initially claiming that he would only play in London if he was to move to England.

But, with no clubs from the capital showing any interest, Newcastle are understood to have offered Kluivert a Premiership lifeline.

The Magpies have also been tracking Southampton's James Beattie but, with the Saints holding out for at least £6m, Kluivert is a more viable option.

The Dutch striker has been granted a free transfer, but his £93,000-a-week wages could yet prove a stumbling block to any deal.