Aston Villa and Wolves are set to battle it out with their Championship rivals for the signature of Newcastle defender Grant Hanley, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claims that Derby Country are leading the race to sign the 25-year-old, with Villa, Wolves and Cardiff all showing interest in his signature.
It is said that the senior defender, who earned promotion to the Premier League this season, looks set to leave St James’ Park as part of Rafa Benitez’ summer shake-up.
Hanley played only ten league matches for Benitez this term following his £5.5million move from Blackburn Rovers last summer.
The report suggests that Derby are in prime position to sign Hanley and they have already contacted the newly-promoted Premier League club and are willing to pay £4million for the defender.
The Magpies went on to clinch the Championship title on the last day of the season after Brighton conceded a late goal at Villa, with Hanley not in Benitez’ squad for that final match against Barnsley.
The Scotland international has vasts amounts of experience in the second tier and the report states that Newcastle want to recoup the £5.5million they paid for the former Rovers man.
Hanley came through the ranks at Ewood Park and he made 200 appearances in all competitions for the recently-relegated Lancashire club.
If he were to make a move back down to the Championship then he would more than likely be playing for a team that is hoping to earn promotion to the top tier next term.
Steve Bruce’s Villa and Gary Rowett’s Derby are two of the favourites to earn promotion next season following their disappointing campaigns.