Newcastle are preparing a lucrative pre-contract offer to Swiss defender Fabian Schar in an attempt to fend off interest from other potential suitors.
Having failed to agree a new deal with Basel, the 23-year-old is set to depart the Swiss champions at the end of the season.
Graham Carr shortlisted Schar to replace French international Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who signed for AS Roma permanently in January after they activated his £5.5m buyout clause.
The Magpies face fierce competition from Italian outlet Inter Milan – branded ‘the ideal destination’ by Fabian.
After impressing over the past few seasons in Switzerland, as well as in European competitions, Schar has attracted interested from a number of top clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool, who also remain hopeful of securing his signature this summer.
