Newcastle boss Graeme Souness is closing in on his first transfer-window signing after identifying Chelsea full-back Celestine Babayaro as a target.
The Magpies are looking to bolster their defence when the market opens in January and the Nigeria international - a survivor of the Ruud Gullit era at Stamford Bridge - could make a move north within days.
It is understood negotiations have reached an advanced stage, with the full-back's Chelsea contract due to expire at the end of the season.
Middlesbrough and Liverpool are believed to have been trailing the 26-year-old, who arrived in England in a £2.25million switch from Anderlecht in June 1997.
Babayaro has won the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Charity Shield and the European Super Cup with the Londoners, but has found himself surplus to requirements since Roman Abramovich took control of the club.
Glen Johnson, Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho have all been recruited to strengthen the defence, with Babayaro left on the sidelines.
