Newcastle are leading the race to sign Norwich winger Jacob Murphy, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper claim that the north-east giants are closing in on a deal for the dazzling wide forward as they step up plans to strengthen their squad this summer.
The Mirror report that Newcastle face stiff competition from Southampton and Crystal Palace for the signature of Murphy, 22, after his breakthrough 2016-17 campaign.
It is said that all three clubs are ready to meet Norwich’s £8million asking price but Magpies manager Rafael Benitez is in the driving seat due to the prestige of his club.
Murphy has not yet played in the Premier League as he was on loan at Coventry in 2015-16 but he has made rapid progress in recent seasons in the lower leagues.
He scored eight goals and supplied eight assists from 38 Championship matches last season, and also made a major impact for England Under-21s in the European Championships this summer.
He featured in every single match as he took his domestic form into the international age-group arena.
Newcastle appear to have been convinced that Murphy has the calibre to make a big impression in the Premier League next season.