Rafael Benitez has held talks with Manchester City about signing four of their players this summer, according to the Mail.
The newspaper claim that Newcastle were the first club to enquire about a deal for West Ham-bound Joe Hart.
The Mail report Magpies manager Benitez has also held direct talks with City director of football Txiki Begiristain about the possibility of signing Hart’s teammates Eliaquim Mangala, Fernando and Kelechi Ihenacho.
It is said that Newcastle have been unable to offer a suitable financial package to the Premier League big hitters for the England number one, with their proposal amounting to a season long-loan without a permanent option and just 25 per cent of his wages.
By contrast, the Hammers have made a more appealing offer to City and are “almost certain” to push through the capture of Hart.
West Ham will cover more than 50 per cent of the 30-year-old’s contract – worth more than £100,00 per week – and have agreed a season-long loan with the option after 12 months of a permanent deal.
Hart spent last season on loan at Italian top flight club Torino after being deemed surplus to requirements by Pep Guardiola at City.
He is now set to return to regular Premier League football.