Kieron Dyer has emerged as a summer transfer target for Tottenham Hotspur, although acquiring the Newcastle United midfield player would require a significant shift in the London club’s wage policy.

While the 27-year-old represents the prototype Martin Jol signing – he is English, quick and versatile – his present earnings far outstrip the maximum outlay at White Hart Lane.

Dyer commands a weekly wage of more than £80,000 at St James’ Park, almost double what Tottenham are understood to pay Robbie Keane, their highest earner.

While the England player may be prepared to lower his demands to revitalise his career away from the North East, where he has endured some difficult times, the difference in earnings may prove prohibitive.

As yet, there is not thought to have been substantive contact between the clubs, while the player, who has now been on Tyneside for eight years, has not expressed any public desire to leave. Indeed, he has previously said he wants to repay the club’s loyalty after a complex range of injuries.

Yet, having failed on numerous occasions to prise Stewart Downing away from Middlesbrough, Jol, the head coach, remains in the market for pace and penetration and Dyer’s ability to fill several roles could prove attractive. At times this season, he has played in wide positions, in central midfield and in attack; it is the latter quality – he has scored six goals – which may raise further questions concerning the future at Tottenham of Jermain Defoe.

Glenn Roeder has challenged Emre Belozöglu to repeat the solid performance he produced against Chelsea last weekend, with the Turkey midfield player still to show much consistency. “I thought Emre had his best game of the season for us on Sunday,” the manager said. “This followed on from Portsmouth, where I thought his first-half show was his worst 45 minutes for us. He is a very good player and he will be even better if he could be a bit more consistent.”