NEWCASTLE UNITED are casting an eye over the respected Toulon tournament as the club's new scouting system looks to unearth some hidden gems for Kevin Keegan's squad.

Members of the Magpies' ever-growing talent-spotting team - including head of recruitment Jeff Vetere - have been in the south of France over the last eight days watching some of the world's rising stars.

The eight-team competition comes to a close tomorrow and there is a belief on Tyneside that many of the players on show are available at affordable prices.

Chile, Japan, Italy and the Ivory Coast all reached the semi-finals in the competition and Holland impressed in stages in front of the huge throng of scouts from clubs across the globe.

And while Keegan has openly admitted that targeting South American-based players is off the agenda, he will consider European-based players of whatever nationality.

It is Newcastle owner Mike Ashley's desire to recruit with the potential for future sales, unlike previous expensive purchases made under the former regime.

The trip to Toulon is further indication of the work in progress, although there has been little movement on the transfer front and Keegan's first addition of the summer appears no nearer to being sealed.

Toulouse midfielder Achille Emana has emerged as the latest player considered by Newcastle.

The 25-year-old Cameroon international is being courted by Sevilla, Real Betis and West Ham and would cost somewhere in the region of £5.5m.

But while Emana has been considered, he is one of many names which is also thought to include Olympiacos' 22-year-old defender Vassilis Torosidis.

Another was Le Mans midfielder Stephane Sessegnon and sources in France claim the 23-year-old's advisors have informed Newcastle he is keen to make the move to St James' Park.

It does, though, seem that while the players are evidently on Newcastle's radar, there has been no decision made on which of their possible targets should become a priority.

It is widely known that Newcastle have already made their interest known to Galatasary that they would like to sign Arda Turan.

With Newcastle unwilling to meet the valuation put on Turan's head by the cash-strapped Istanbul club, the Premier league outfit are weighing up their options before tabling an official offer.