According to reports in France, Newcastle Untied are showing serious interest in Lille defender Tiago Djalo.
This comes from Foot Mercato, who claim Newcastle are ‘ready to offer’ a fee in excess of €20m for the versatile 22-year-old.
The player is approaching the final 18 months of his contract with Lille and will be no stranger to fellow centre-back Sven Botman, having played alongside the big Dutchman during their time together at LOSC.
Djalo is predominantly a central defender, but he can operate down either flank, having made 12 appearances at right-back and 11 at left-back for over the past two seasons.
He stands 6ft 3′ tall and is known for his impressive turn of pace – which may explain why he’s often been used at full-back by the Ligue 1 side.
The former Portugal U21 international joined the 2021 title winners three and a half years ago, arriving from AC Milan for €4m.
Time will tell if we really are showing concrete interest in Djalo, but he certainly ticks boxes as a young, athletic and versatile defender who could compete with an in-form but ageing Fabian Schar.