Porto winger Yacine Brahimi has reportedly attracted admiring glances from Newcastle United ahead of the January transfer window.
The Algeria international is out of contract with the Portuguese giants at the end of the season and does not appear likely to agree fresh terms before the New Year.
Brahimi is therefore expected to be sold for a fee in January and, according to reports quoted by the Shields Gazette, Newcastle are in the running to sign the 28-year-old.
West Ham United were in the hunt to sign Brahimi in the summer, only to fail when it came to agreeing personal terms, and Everton are also believed to be sniffing around.
Porto are believed to have wanted £26m for the former Granada ace in the summer, but a cut-price deal can be expected in two months' time due to his delicate contract situation.