Newcastle United are pursuing Hearts right back Callum Paterson, reports the Daily Record.
The Scottish Under-21 international finds himself at the top of Rafa Benitez’s ‘Most Wanted’ list after the Magpies missed out on Everton’s Brendan Galloway. The Toffees agreed a season-long loan deal with West Bromwich Albion for the young defender rather than a spell on Tyneside.
Wigan Athletic had a bid of £600,000 knocked back by the Scottish club and are not set to return with an improved offer, leaving the way clear for Newcastle to bring the defender to St James Park.
The Record states that Paterson has a year left on his current deal but that talks over a new contract have stalled.
Rated at £1m by Hearts, it seems unlikely that the fee will be that much with a sell-on clause the likeliest outcome.
Already capped by Scotland at full international level – making his debut in the 0 – 1 defeat to Italy in May – Paterson is set to retain his place in Gordon Strachan’s squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Malta.