Report: Newcastle now looking at versatile 23-year-old defender from Lille, he wants to move

Newcastle United will be keen to add to their defensive options next year and may already have the perfect candidate in mind.

Tiago Djalo has been on Eddie Howe's radar for a while and Newcastle were linked with a move for the 23-year-old in January this year but it never materialised, but 90mins reports that the interest remains.

Although Djalo has yet to kick a ball this season due to injury, he is nearing a return to action which has Newcastle ready to cast their eyes over him again.

Djalo can play all across the back line

The Portugal U21 international was on the cusp of going to the World Cup with the Portuguese senior side, making it into the preliminary squad but he was ultimately cut.

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Able to play anywhere across the back line, Djalo would be the perfect addition to Newcastle's squad, provided he recovers from his knee injury.

Djalo's contract is set to expire in the summer and he's told Lille he wants to leave, but Newcastle are far from the only side monitoring his situation with the likes of Inter Milan, Juventus, Barcelona and Bayern Munich interested.

Newcastle have a secret weapon when it comes to recruiting Djalo

One man in Newcastle's ranks who may be able to swing it our way is Sven Botman who played with Djalo at Lille and turned down AC Milan to join the Magpies.

The young duo could strike up a centre-back pairing that could last Newcastle for years.

As long as there are no complications with his knee when he returns to playing, this looks like a very good move for Newcastle. You don't attract interest from the clubs he's got after him without having something about you. It just remains to be seen if Newcastle can convince him that we're his best bet.