Reliable journalist: Newcastle on verge of two new signings, one is headed for medical

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Published on:

01 Aug 2016, 8:03 am

By Harry Sykes

Newcastle are closing in on the signing of Mohamed Diame after meeting the release clause in his Hull contract, according to a reliable journalist.

The Times' long-serving north-east correspondent George Caulkin has claimed on his personal Twitter account that Diame is en route to Tyneside to undergo a medical.

Caulkin also reports that another signing could quickly follow that of midfield powerhouse Diame.

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez had stated over the weekend that he is looking to reshape his squad ahead of his team's Championship campaign.

There will be no shortage of money for reinforcements as the club have recouped around £70million through players’ sales already this summer and could offload Sissoko for more than £30million in the next couple of weeks.

Diame will be regarded as a like-for-like replacement for Sissoko, who has attracted interest from a number of leading clubs, including Real Madrid.

The Senegal international, 29, has plenty of experience of English football having starred for Wigan, West Ham and Hull after moving to the Premier League from Rayo Vallecano in 2009.

Diame scored 10 goals in 34 Championship starts (plus an additional seven as a sub) for Hull as they were promoted last season.

Newcastle have been installed by most bookmakers as favourites for the title after their impressive transfer business and their success in holding on to Benitez.

The club have already signed Premier League stars Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle for around £10million each, centre-back Grant Hanley joined for £5.5million, Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels put pen to paper for £5million, while midfield enforcer Isaac Hayden and Champions League defender Jesus Gamez have beefed up the squad.

In other Newcastle transfer news, their attacker is a surprise target for Spanish league champions Barcelona.

Newcastle United

Mohamed Diame