Age: 23 Club: Schalke 04 Nationality: Cameroonian Estimated Market Value: £12 million-17 million League Apps (2014-15): 21 Newcastle United have been heavily linked with Schalkes Joel Matip this summer and made enquires over the players availability towards the end of June. One thing is for certain, the Cameroonian centre-back would give Newcastle United a much stronger presence at the back because he is an expert tackler. Matip is a towering centre-back who can also slot in as a defensive-midfielder and would offer Steve McClaren plenty of cover as well as versatility. The player has been linked with Real Madrid in recent weeks but if the Magpies could place a early bid that matches Schalke's estimations then they could sign a first-class defender with Champions League experience. At just 23 years old it wouldn't be such a bad move to place a weighty bid as Matip is developing into a fine central-defender.