Newcastle linked with 23-year-old French defender with £60m release clause active this summer - journalist

The transfer links are coming thick and fast today with Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claiming Newcastle United are interested in RB Leipzig defender.

Newcastle are definitely in the market for new defenders this summer, especially in the wake of losing two prominent centre-backs in quick succession to long-term absences.

According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Newcastle have their eye on RB Leipzig's 23-year-old defender Mohamed Simakan who can play at centre-back and right-back.

The young defender has only missed two games for Leipzig this season in all competitions, including the Champions League.

Simakan has a release clause that becomes active this summer

Simakan has been capped at France U20 and U21 level but has yet to make it into the senior side, although his reputation suggests he could be close to a call-up.

Plettenberg believes that Simakan is ready to leave Leipzig at the end of the season with the Premier League his preferred destination.

Newcastle and Tottenham are said to be interested and with Simakan having a €70m (£59.9m) release clause that becomes active this summer, it's a move that could happen.

Simakan is another player linked with Newcastle and many others

£60m is quite a chunk of change, especially given how restrictive Financial Fair Play can be, but if the rules are scrapped in favour of the 'luxury tax' model, then you'd like to think the gloves would be off for Newcastle.

Simakan's rise to prominence after leaving Strasbourg for Leipzig hasn't gone unnoticed by other clubs either with Real Madrid scouting him recently, too.

It seems there could be a big battle for this one too. Why can't Newcastle just find these hidden gems like Brighton? It's always got to be a 20-way fight for players we're interested in.