Report suggests Newcastle United are closing in on signing of 20-year-old 'monster' in January

Newcastle United are expected to be more active in the transfer market in terms of getting players out of the club rather than in, but there are a couple of rumours around incoming players that aren't shifting.

A right-winger and a central defender remain high priorities for Newcastle, although it's expected that if the club are to do any incoming business in January, the best we can hope for is just one of those positions to be filled thanks to PSR.

As things stand, it seems like Newcastle are closing in on adding a central-defender with reports suggesting things are moving forward in a bid for RC Lens' £25 million-rated Abdukodir Khusanov.

The 20-year-old has been a constant source of speculation for the past couple of weeks and today has brought news that a deal could be close.

One source claims Newcastle are in advanced talks for Abdukodir Khusanov

A report in iNews claims that a source has told them that a deal is pretty advanced for the defender described as a 'monster' by Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba.

However, the report then goes on to say that Khusanov's name is being bandied around all over by his agents and a 'fog of uncertainty' surrounding the player's future.

We know that Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the mix for Khusanov, but they don't get a mention alongside Newcastle here.

Khusanov is believed to be Premier League-ready

The 20-year-old has been extensively scouted by Newcastle by all accounts, and the initial feeling is that the youngster has all the attributes to be a success in the Premier League.

Indeed, some reports have gone as far as to suggest that he could go straight into the first-team and hold his own at the top level.

There's a lot of excitement around Khusanov, but we'd be surprised if we see any movement in the immediate future.