“He is back from holiday today and you will know by tomorrow which team he will be playing for next season,” Bulut said.

“There are six teams in England who have asked about Emre. Emre is playing next season in England, for sure.”

Turkey international Emre has two years left on his contract at the San Siro, but played only 19 Serie A games last season and was not involved in the club’s Coppa Italia final defeat of Roma after picking up a groin injury.

That has alerted a series of suitors to his availability, and there has been no shortage of interest, particularly from Premiership clubs, in a player who has proved his quality in both club and international football.

Newcastle, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal are among those clubs to have been linked with the player this summer, and the Magpies are understood to have met the player’s representatives in Monaco before his summer break in an attempt to gain a head start.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd and manager Graeme Souness have never officially confirmed an interest in £6m (€9m)-rated Emre, although there is a growing confidence on Tyneside that a deal can be done.

It is thought they have edged ahead of the Toffees in the race for his signature, although his wage demands – considered to be in excess of £60,000 (€90,400) a week – are at the upper limit of what they are prepared to pay.

Newcastle have already beaten the Toffees to Scott Parker’s signature, despite the fact that David Moyes could offer the England international the chance to play Champions League, rather than Intertoto Cup football, and to miss out again to the same club would be a huge blow.

Parker is the only new face to have been added to the Magpies’ squad so far this summer, although there are certain to be more arrivals with Aaron Hughes, Andy O’Brien and Laurent Robert all having left St James’ Park and Craig Bellamy, Hugo Viana and possibly Lee Bowyer among those who could follow them.