Newcastle United are expected to table a formal bid to Sporting Lisbon for their centre-back Ruben Semedo, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim that the Premier League new boys are are set to make an offer at some point this week for the defender.
The Chronicle reports that Sporting centre-back are willing to sell Semedo for £15million even though his contract has a staggering £39million release clause.
It is said that Semedo’s agent Catio Balde has held talks with Newcastle officials over the deal in the last few days and both parties will aim to come to reach an agreement imminently.
Semedo’s teammates have similar exorbitant clauses in their contracts, which was seen first-hand over the past week when Lisbon forward Hadi Sacko signed a permanent deal with Leeds United following a loan spell at the Yorkshire side.
Sacko was signed by the Whites for £1.7million despite having a staggering £51million release clause in his contract with the Portuguese club.
Former Portugal Under-21 international Semedo played a total of 31 games for his side across all competitions last season after a return to Lisbon from a loan spell at Vitoria de Setubal in January 2016.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is keen to strengthen his newly promoted squad’s defence ready for their return to the Premier League.