Newcastle United and Arsenal line up summer move for £70m defender

Newcastle United have reportedly contacted the representatives of one of European football's most promising defenders with a view to a summer move.

Ousmane Diomande has enjoyed a remarkable rise to prominence over the last 12 months after joining Portuguese giants Sporting CO from Danish Superliga club FC Midtjylland in a £5m deal last January. The 20-year-old made his debut as a substitute in a win at Rio Ave just a week later and scored a memorable first goal for his new club in a 2-2 draw with Lisbon rivals Benfica.

The defender has continued to shine during the current season and earned a maiden call-up to the Ivory Coast squad in September when he was handed the first of three senior caps in a 1-0 home win against Lesotho in an African Cup of Nations qualifier.

His form has captured the attention of a number of clubs from around Europe and Football Insider have claimed Newcastle and Arsenal have made the first move towards securing a deal for Diomande by making contact with his agent.

However, the £70m release clause placed in the centre-back's contract means that neither Premier League club will aim to complete a deal during the January transfer window and will look at a possible move during the summer.

Newcastle eye Serie A star after 'paltry' Wolves offer

Wolves have reportedly had a loan bid turned down for Boulaye Dia - and Newcastle and Eintracht Frankfurt are ready to take advantage.

A report from TuttoSalernitana has claimed the Molineux club were unsuccessful with a loan offer that would contain a obligation to buy the Salernitana striker during the summer transfer window. The report suggests Newcastle have the 25-times capped Senegal international 'in their crosshairs' but will face competition from Frankfurt. Serie A trio Inter, AC Milan and Fiorentina are also mentioned as possible suitors and could offer a number of young players to Salernitana to force a deal through.