Nicolas N'Koulou is wanted by a host of top European clubs - yet Newcastle United are in a "strong position" to sign him, according to reports. The Times claim that Marseille are renowned to losing the Cameroon captain this summer - but they do not want to sell him to Ligue 1 rivals Lyon for £7 million. Instead, the French club will sanction a deal that will take the centre-back to the Premier League, with Newcastle leading Arsenal, Aston Villa and Sunderland for the 25-year-old's signature. N'Koulou is not the biggest at 5ft 11in but he is great on the floor and he loves to play out from the back. The centre-back 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 62 Cameroon caps, including several as captain, 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 are willing to part with the cash, 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. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.