Newcastle showing strong interest for Barcelona defender Umtiti

Newcastle are ready to move for Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti.

The Sun says Umtiti has emerged as a £17million target for relegation-haunted Newcastle.

The 28-year-old defender has fallen out of favour with successive managers at the cash-strapped Spanish giants.

And they are desperate to offload Umtiti's £220,000-a-week wages.

But following the takeover by a Saudi-backed consortium the Toon may be one of the few clubs willing to splash out on the France international centre-back.

Eddie Howe badly needs experienced reinforcements in the January transfer window as he seeks to drag Newcastle away from the drop-zone.

And shoring up a leaky defence is a priority with the Magpies having conceded more than any other side in the division.