Newcastle lead the chase of Ruben Semedo ahead of West Ham and West Brom, Sky sources understand

Newcastle are leading the chase for highly-rated Portuguese centre-back Ruben Semedo, ahead of West Ham and West Brom, Sky sources understand.

The Magpies are understood to have offered £10m for the U21 international, though his club Sporting Lisbon are understood to be seeking closer to £13m.

Reports in Portugal that a deal has been agreed are wide of the mark though and have been denied by Semedo's representative Catio Balde, who said: "There is nothing".

Despite a release clause of around £40m, Sky sources understand any potential agreement for the defender will fall well short of that.

The player is keen to move to the Premier League and Sporting also want to sort a deal ahead of the UEFA European U21 Championship, which starts in Poland on June 16.

The 23-year-old only signed a new five-year deal with Sporting three months ago, and made 30 appearances in all competitions for the club in the last campaign, including six in the Champions League.

As well as West Ham and West Brom, Southampton have also been credited with an interest in Semedo.