Newcastle Transfer News: Magpies Chase Marseille Defender Nicolas N'Koulou

Newcastle United are stepping up their search for defensive reinforcements and have pinpointed Marseille centre-back Nicolas N'Koulou as one of their top summer transfer targets. As WhatCultureNUFC writer @ChrisDHWaugh predicted on Tuesday in his list of 10 potential centre-backs Newcastle must try to sign this summer, the Magpies are now looking to snap up N'Koulou - according to the Daily Mail. Everton have also shown firm interest in the 25-year-old Cameroonian, with Napoli and Arsenal also reported to be among those monitoring the centre-back's situation in France.

Interestingly, Newcastle have also been linked with a move for Marseille forward Florian Thauvin - so a double swoop could be in the offing this summer. N€™Koulou is not the biggest at 5ft 11ins but he is great on the floor and he loves to play out from the back. It would provide a shift away from the long-ball football so many of Newcastle€™s defenders have used down the years - and that would certainly be a good thing. At just 25, N€™Koulou has already accumulated 51 Cameroon caps and he has played more than 200 Ligue 1 games for Marseille and Monaco - meaning he has plenty of top-league experience in Europe.

Regarded extremely highly across the entire continent, many envious eyes have been cast in N€™Koulou€™s direction. However, if Newcastle were willing to part with £15 million-plus, then their extensive contacts in France and Graham Carr€™s ability to negotiate a deal across the Channel could secure a move. This signing would show heaps of ambition. Newcastle have also been linked to Scottish Premier League-winning duo Virgil van Dijk and Jason Denayer in recent days. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.