Newcastle are ready to put in an £8m bid for Tom Ince.
According to a report in The Sun the Derby County midfielder has been identified as the player to add industry to Rafa Benitez’s side and ensure automatic promotion.
Newcastle have been linked with loan moves for Tom Cleverley and James McCarthy of Everton but a permanent deal for Ince would be preferred to those two options.
Despite an impressive start to the season Newcastle are only six points clear of third placed Reading who have a game in hand.
Bringing in Ince would give the midfield a boost and also deal a major blow to one of their promotion rivals.
Ince has had a colourful career turning out for six clubs since leaving Liverpool but appears to have found some form at Derby after signing in a £5m deal from Hull 18 months ago.
With eight goals from 23 Championship appearances a repeat of that form could make the difference between automatic promotion and the play-off lottery.