Newcastle are ready to break their transfer record with a January move for Galatasaray midfielder Badou Ndiaye, according to reports in Turkey.
Michael Owen's £16.8million switch from Real Madrid in 2005 remains Newcastle's biggest buy but the Magpies are reportedly lining up an £18m offer for Ndiaye.
The 27-year-old came close to joining West Ham in the summer but he instead swapped Osmanlispor for Galatasaray.
He has made an impressive start to life at Gala, who do not want to lose the Senegalese midfielder so soon after signing him.
However the decision is out of their hands as Ndiaye's contract contains a £18m minimum fee release clause.