Rumour Mill: Alex Neil runs the rule over Marseille defender Nicolas Nkoulou

Norwich manager Alex Neil has reportedly run the rule over Marseilles defender Nicolas Nkoulou. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd ©Focus Images Limited www.focus-images.co.uk +447814 482222

Norwich City chief Alex Neil was reportedly in France at the weekend to make a personal check on Cameroon international defender Nicolas Nkoulou.

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The Canaries’ boss was an interested spectator for Marseille’s 6-0 Ligue One romp over Troyes, with the 25-year-old defender believed to be the reason for his scouting trip.

The Sun claim Nkoulou is on Neil’s radar after playing the full 90 minutes for Marseille, who he joined in 2011 after starting his career in France at Monaco. Nkoulou has previously been touted with Premier League duo Arsenal and former top flight club Hull City and has a wealth of domestic and European experience for the French powerhouses.

The defender was named in the Ligue One team-of-the-year in both 2012 and 2013 and has 63 caps for his country, where he has played alongside City’s Seb Bassong for the Indomitable Lions.

Neil has been previously linked with the likes of Celtic’s Virgil van Dijk and West Ham’s James Collins as he attempts to bolsters his backline ahead of the Setpember 1 transfer deadline.

Meanwhile, the on-going search for a new forward has yet to yield a breakthrough, with the Mirror now reporting Wolves have slapped a £14m price tag on Benik Afobe to ward off interest from the Canaries. Neil declined to confirm a second bid had been lodged when he spoke to the media after Tuesday’s Capital One Cup win at Rotherham.