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. NKoulou 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 Newcastles defenders have used down the years - and that would certainly be a good thing. At just 25, NKoulou 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 NKoulous direction. However, if Newcastle were willing to part with £15 million-plus, then their extensive contacts in France and Graham Carrs 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.