Newcastle United are lining up bids for Monaco's Aymen Abdennour and Schalke 04's Joel Matip, according to a report.

New Magpies boss Steve McClaren has outlined new defenders as a priority as he looks to rebuild the club's backline following their disastrous second half of the last Premier League campaign.

The Tynesiders are willing to spend £30m on the duo as £20m would be needed to land Abdennour from the Ligue 1 side, while Matip is valued at £10m by Schalke following his solid performances for the Bundesliga outfit, reports The People.

McClaren has revealed that he is also close to naming his backroom staff ahead of the start of pre-season.