Newcastle are hoping to complete a deal for Toulouse defender Christopher Jullien, L’Equipe reports.

The Magpies want to bolster their backline before this week’s transfer deadline and the club’s scouting network have identified the 6ft 5in centre-back, who has let it be known he would like to play in the Premier League.

According to sources, the Ligue 1 side are happy to let the 25-year-old depart for a cut-price fee as Newcastle look to provide competition for the first-choice central defence pairing of Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark.

His acquisition would also prove handy given the recent departure of Chancel Mbemba.