Newcastle are ready to rival Arsenal by making a summer move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho, according to a Sun report.
The newspaper claims Magpies manager Rafa Benitez has admired the 25-year-old for some time.
Arsenal are also interested in the tough tackling midfielder, though the Toon are expected to go all out to get their man, who has a £39million release clause in his contract.
It is said Newcastle would prefer to make a bid in the region of £25million, but they will probably be forced to pay the full £39million in order to prise him away from Sporting.
Benitez is looking to strengthen his squad ahead of their return to the Premier League next season and sees Carvalho as an ideal replacement for Jack Colback, who under performed this term.
The 25-year-old would provide an effective screen for the back four, allowing the likes of Jonjo Shelvey to push further forward.
Carvalho has been a mainstay of the Sporting midfield this term, and has made 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing four assists.
The midfielder has made more than 150 appearances for the Portuguese giants since breaking into the side in 2013.
He has also been capped by Portugal on 30 occasions, and he was part of the 2016 European Championships winning side.