Spurs eyeing shock swoop for Newcastle star

Tottenham are weighing up a £6m January move for Newcastle striker Andy Carroll after having a late enquiry dismissed at the end of the summer transfer window.

The 21-year-old has made a stunning start to the new Premier League season, scoring four goals in Newcastle's first three games including a hat-trick in the stunning 6-0 win over Aston Villa.

His powerful style and strength in the air have caught the eye of Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who feels he needs a striker who can play on his own up front.

Chairman Daniel Levy is willing to sanction a £6m bid for Carroll if Redknapp decides he wants the youngster to bolster his striking options.

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton tried to sign Spurs forward Robbie Keane on loan during the summer but the Londoners refused to let the Ireland captain leave without a replacement.

Redknapp audaciously tried to secure Carroll in a swap for Keane by making an enquiry for the England under-21 international.

Tottenham's move was quickly rebuffed, but Redknapp will continue to monitor Carroll and could make a bid when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Newcastle are desperate to hang on to their only genuine goalscorer, who has been compared to Geordie legend Alan Shearer.

But Carroll would be interested in a move to Spurs and Toon owner Mike Ashley could be willing to cash in on his prize asset to raise much-needed funds for the cash-strapped club.

Redknapp is considering revising his formation to fit in new signing Rafael Van der Vaart, the Dutch playmaker who signed from Real Madrid for £8m on the final day of the summer transfer window.

None of his current strikers - Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane - are suited to the role as a lone frontman, which Carroll plays for Newcastle.

Redknapp was desperate for a top class striker during the summer but failed to land any of his three main targets - Edin Dzeko, Diego Forlan and Luis Fabiano.