Newcastle are said to be interested in signing another centre-back.

Italian outlet CalcioMercato claim Newcastle United are rivalling Fulham and Cardiff City for Slavia Prague centre-back Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui before the end of the January transfer window.

The report claims Newcastle are after the 28-year-old defender, who has a contract with Slavia Prague until the summer of 2020. He is renowned for his pace at the back, as well as his tough-tackling approach to defending.

Ngadeu-Ngadjui played a crucial part in Newcastle’s side during the first half of the season, helping his side sit four points clear at the top of the Czech first division table – and reaching the last 32 of the Europa League.

The centre-back played every single minute of Prague’s six fixtures in Europe, which saw them beat Zenit St. Petersburg, FC Copenhagen and Bordeaux to progress. They face Genk in the knockout round.

The report claims Ngadeu-Ngadjui has a release clause in his contract worth a bargain £3.9million, a fee Newcastle would surely be able to afford despite the restrictions placed on Rafa Benitez by owner Mike Ashley.

Fulham and Cardiff are also said to be interested, while a centre-back is hardly top of the list for Newcastle with Florian Lejeune, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez all options.

But the report claims that the Premier League trio all ‘really like’ Slavia Prague’s stand-out performer, and it could see any of the three clubs make an offer before Thursday’s deadline.

In other news, ‘That’s unlikely now’: John Aldridge admits one disappointment if Thiago joins Liverpool