NEWCASTLE UNITED could pip Southampton and Everton to the signing of Sporting Lisbon defender Ruben Semedo.
The Magpies are expected to vastly improve their squad following their promotion to the top-flight from the Championship.
And if they manage to tie up a deal for the 23-year-old centre-half, it will be a terrific coup, as French side Lille as well as Premier League duo Southampton and Everton are sniffing around.
Portuguese news-site Ojogo reports that Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has been tracking Semedo all season.
SunSport has previously reported that Both Saints manager Claude Puel and Everton counterpart Ronald Koeman have sent their scouts to watch Semedo, 23, on numerous occasions this season.
Puel sees the Portugal under-21 international, also wanted by AC Milan, as a replacement for fellow countryman Jose Fonte following his move to West Ham in January.
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Semedo learnt his trade with the Sporting Lisbon academy – the same one that produced the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo.
But he won’t come cheaply. He signed a new contract in March tying him to the club until 2022 with a release clause being set at £40million.
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