Newcastle trigger £4.5m Mo Diame release clause '“ as Moussa Sissoko nears exit

The club is hopeful of signing the midfielder in the next 48 hours.

Sky Sports report that United today triggered the 29-year-old's £4.5million release clause.

Diame has a year left on his contract at the KCOM Stadium and is understood to be interested in a move to Newcastle.

The Senegal international is wanted as a replacement for Moussa Sissoko, who is set to leave St James's Park.

Sissoko, rated in the £35million-bracket, is wanted by Real Madrid.

And reports in Spain today claimed the club had opened formal talks with Newcastle over Sissoko, who was due back on Tyneside today.