Newcastle United are looking to improve their defensive options before the January window closes, and they have identified the Sevilla defender Diego Carlos as a potential target.
According to a report from the Telegraph, Newcastle wanted to sign the Lille defender Sven Botman but the French outfit are unwilling to sell the Dutchman midway through the season.
Botman is regarded as one of the best young defenders around Europe, and he would have been a sensational acquisition for Newcastle.
However, the Dutchman is clearly unavailable this month, and Newcastle will have to move on to other options in order to salvage their season.
The magpies have been disastrous at the back this season add they have conceded 42 goals in 19 league matches.
Newcastle are currently second last in the table, and they will have to improve defensively in order to beat relegation.
The signing of Diego Carlos will certainly improve them at the back, and it remains to be seen whether Sevilla are prepared to cash in on him this month.
The Premier League side are likely to have the money to pull off the transfer following their multi-million-pound takeover, but they will have to convince the player to take a massive step down in his career.
It remains to be seen whether Carlos is willing to give up the prospect of European football in order to fight relegation.
There is no doubt that Newcastle have an ambitious project at their disposal, but they are not an attractive option for top players just yet.
It will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds over the next few weeks and whether the magpies can pull off the transfer this month.
