Newcastle have joined bitter rivals Sunderland in the race to sign Lorient centre-back Lamine Kone, according to the Daily Mail.
Swansea and Norwich have also been touted as possible destinations for the 27-year-old, should he choose to leave the French outfit in January.
It is believed that £5million would be enough to acquire the services of the Ivory Coast international and Steve McClaren has added him to a long list of potential defensive reinforcements for the Magpies to consider this January.
United currently have an established central defensive duo in Chancel Mbemba and captain Fabricio Coloccini, but with just four clean sheets in 16 games, McClaren wants to bolster his side’s backline.
Any move for Kone could depend on the futures of Mike Williamson and the injured Steven Taylor.
Sunderland currently lead the race for Kone, and with January just around the corner, Newcastle will have to act fast if they are serious about the signing.
