Newcastle United have repeatedly been linked with a move for a centre-half and the recent injury outbreak at St. James' Park has made the need for back-up more pressing. The Magpies aren't short of defenders but the need for further quality additions to help them to continue to progress is clear.
The Magpies have been linked with a move for Lille defender Tiago Djalo and has been looked at by Eddie Howe's side in recent weeks. The defender has impressed in Ligue 1 this season, under the guidance of the one Newcastle linked manager Paulo Fonseca.
The Italian manager insists on his defenders being comfortable on the ball, much like Newcastle under Howe, and Djalo has already told any interested parties how he prefers to play.
"I think the way [Fonseca] wants the team to play is perfect for me, because I like to play with the ball," Djalo told OneFootball.com. "I feel better with this philosophy. Compared to previous years, we have participated a lot in the offensive game and the coach gave us a lot of freedom to experiment, to play the ball, to exchange passes.
"I know I have the qualities for that, to have a good relationship with the midfield. I have never felt so much freedom since I arrived. Galtier and Gourvennec had different ways to play, probably more cautious.
"I clearly like this. It's a question of confidence in the coach too. We take a lot of risks, it's true, but we have the quality to do a lot when we're under pressure. This way of playing is magnificent.
"Fonte? He's a reference point in this position. I've been watching how he plays for three and a half years. Above all, he taught me not to be afraid to speak, to observe the game, the positioning of my teammates.
"When I arrived, I thought there was no use in talking and little by little I understood that it was important to see the game in front of me. This helped me to communicate more with my colleagues.
"I obviously did not have confidence at the time, I did not speak the language. But even in Portuguese, I started to speak. It's essential."