Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren has reportedly made James Tomkins one of his main summer transfer targets.
The centre-back, who has risen through the ranks at West Ham United, only signed a new five-year contract at Upton Park last season.
However, speculation has suggested that his future at the club could be in doubt following the recent arrival of fellow centre-back Angelo Ogbonna from Juventus.
That has alerted McClaren, who has identified the defence as one of the key areas that he must address over the coming weeks, according to The People.
Last Thursday, Tomkins scored the only goal of the game as West Ham beat Birkirkara in a Europa League qualifier.