He has been linked with moves for fellow Dutchman Ronald de Boer, former England international Steve Stone and French defender Didier Domi.

It follows the collapse of the proposed £5.2m purchase of AC Milan winger Ibrahim Ba, after a long-standing knee problem was revealed by his medical.

Stone: A close friend of Newcastle defender Stuart Pearce

Gullit has refused to name names, but expects to complete at least one deal in the near future.

He said: "Something good is happening. I can't say yet but we have made a breakthrough in the transfer market.

"I've worked hard this week and agreed a fee for a player. I hope I'll be able to announce something very soon, but it is now down to a medical."

De Boer was a member of the Dutch squad which reached the World Cup semi-finals in the summer, but he and twin brother Frank were involved in a stand-off with Ajax Amsterdam over the club's refusal to allow them to move to Spain.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Stone is a native of the north-east, having been born at nearby Gateshead.

Gullit is reportedly willing to pay £5m for him, an offer which Forest counterpart Dave Bassett may be willing to accept to finance team-strengthening plans of his own.