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Newcastle United are set to be offered Bundesliga defender Joël Matip.

The 23-year-old has one year left on his contract at Schalke 04 and could fit the bill for the Magpies as they look to plug defensive gaps after a torrid season last time out.

Matip has been linked with Liverpool and Manchester City in the past but is thought to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Only Queens Park Rangers (73) conceded more than Newcastle’s poor tally of 63 in the Premier League as the goals rained in past Tim Krul in a horrendous run-in which included eight defeats on the bounce.

Yet Newcastle’s options in defence proved to be a huge issue for the Magpies as a demotivated-looking Fabricio Coloccini found himself in the sin bin towards the end of the season and in poor form.

Much was made by fans of the fact that Coloccini, Mike Williamson and Steven Taylor were still the club’s three main central defenders five years on from the club’s stint in the Championship.

Many were also left disappointed by the exit of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa to AS Roma.

Coloccini and Taylor could stay on at Newcastle but Williamson is believed to be open to a move with interest from the Championship already in the 31-year-old.

Yet the defensive area is one United need to find cover in anyway after releasing Remie Streete on a free transfer last week.

Newcastle do have Jamaal Lascelles to come through the door on July 1 after his loan stint with Nottingham Forest ended.

However, it would be a lot to expect of a young defender to march straight into the Premier League and start games every week.

Matip’s contract is up in 12 months time and the Schalke man could be available for a cheaper rate of around £10million this summer.

At 6ft 3in he would offer presence in the back four for United and he has 140 Bundesliga games under his belt so should not be daunted by the Premier League.

He has also weighed in with 11 goals in his career and it remains to be seen whether Newcastle take the plunge for one of the German division’s top defenders.

Matip was born in Bochum but has played for Cameroon at international level and has won 26 caps.

Meanwhile, Streete has spoken on his exit from Newcastle and says it was a mutual decision to leave the club.

He said: “It was a mutual decision by myself and NUFC to part ways.

“Looking forward to the next part of my career and the opportunities ahead.”