Exclusive: Keegan in shock £4million deal for Gokhan Inler

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is closing in on a shock £4million deal for Switzerland Euro 2008 midfielder Gokhan Inler.

Keegan hopes to sort out a fee with Italian side Udinese for the attack minded 24-year-old who played for the co-hosts in the finals and now wants to come to the Premier League.

Inler, who comes from Turkish descent, plans to quit Serie A after one season and is keen to move to the Premier League and join the Toon, where his crowdpleasing style could be a hit.

Keegan watched Inler in the finals and saw enough to think he could be an asset at a decent price. He joined Udinese last summer from FC Zurich and has been playing senior football for five seasons already.

Inler would be an ideal replacement for Emre, who quit Newcastle for a return home to Turkey.

Keegan is also on the trail of soccer X-Factor winner Per Ciljan Skjelbred. Keegan's scouts have been tracking the in-demand midfielder, who snubbed a youth contract with Liverpool early in his career after he came out on top in a Norwegian TV football skills TV show.

Portsmouth and Spurs are also interested in the £3m-rated Rosenborg star who has supported Newcastle since he was a child.

Newcastle have dismissed as 'absolute nonsense' reports Ashley is ready to sell up to a New York finance company in a £420m deal.

Toon contract rebel Steven Taylor has signed a bumper new treble-yourmoney £5m deal.