GRAEME SOUNESS is desperate to keep Jermaine Jenas at Newcastle United - but that may not stop the England midfielder leaving for pastures new before the end of the month.

Souness has spent the summer trying to build the Magpies' three-man midfield around Jenas by splashing £10.3m on both Scott Parker and Emre.

That is why the Newcastle boss is in no mood to sell the 22-year-old so close to the start of the new Premiership campaign. Such a talented player would be difficult to replace in such a short space of time.

But Souness' desire may count for very little if the clubs interested in signing Jenas, who is thought to be attracted by the prospect of a new challenge, put big money on the table.

Tottenham have already made an approach and would step in with a bid despite the recent capture of Dutch superstar Edgar Davids.

Spurs' boss Martin Jol is even thought to be willing to offer players in exchange for Jenas. Michael Carrick and Sean Davis are the names in the frame.

But, while a move to White Hart Lane could be seen as a sideways step at this stage of his career, it is the interest shown in him from Manchester United and Arsenal that has got the player thinking.

There has been no contact from either club yet but, following rumours that Jenas is ready to hand in a transfer request, it is only a matter of time before Arsenal test the water.

Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger has spoken on numerous occasions since the departure of Patrick Vieira to Juventus of his admiration for the Newcastle man. And Wenger would be best positioned to lodge a bid somewhere near to what Newcastle would be willing to listen to.

Souness has previously hinted that at least £20m would be the amount quoted to any Jenas suitors. However, Newcastle would be forced to seriously consider a bid for half that amount.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd last night told the club's official website that he has had no offers for the club to consider for the talented former Nottingham Forest prodigy.

"We have not had a transfer request from Jermaine Jenas and we have not received a bid for him from any club," said Shepherd.

Souness played down reports of a bust-up with the player but revealed Jenas has become frustrated with the way Newcastle are forever in the media spotlight.

"I have spoken to the player's agent (Jamie Hart) and he tells me JJ is quite happy with things at the football club," said Souness.

"But he says JJ feels it is like living in a goldfish bowl being a United player in Newcastle and that is the biggest problem. No-one on the playing side, from the chairman downwards, wants him to leave."

Goalkeeper Shay Given believes Jenas' absence in the recent Intertoto Cup matches with Deportivo La Coruna did not help the club's cause.

And the Republic of Ireland shot-stopper has admitted Newcastle need to be bolstering the squad instead of weakening the number of players Souness has to select from.

"Players like Kieron Dyer and Jenas haven't been involved and players like Emre and Parker were only making their first appearances on Wednesday night - that's hardly an ideal position to be in," said Given, knowing Inter Milan's Francesco Coco has been on Tyneside to talk terms over a season-long loan.

"I don't think there's any secret that we need some more players. Hopefully we'll get them in as soon as possible. Time is running out now - there's not much time to get them on board before we're starting in the Premiership.

"I'm hoping the club acts in the next week and gets the players we all know we need."

Former Rangers defender Craig Moore became Newcastle's third signing of the summer last week and first impressions have been good.

"Obviously the Premier League down here is a bit different to the Premier League up in Scotland, but he's an experienced player even though he's only 29. I'm sure he'll be a good addition to the squad," said Given.

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