Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is set to make a move for West Ham defender James Tomkins to sure up his leaky defence according to talkSPORT.

Tomkins has played second fiddle at Upton Park this season due to the impressive form of Winston Reid and James Collins but the Hammers would still require a massive transfer fee in order to tempt them into negotiations.

Newcastle bid for the England under-21 international this time last year when West Ham were in the Championship but the East End-born defender opted to sign a new long term deal with his boyhood club.

Pardew is set to lose Fabricio Coloccini this month as the club captain has asked to return to his native Argentina and so the Geordies will be left with just one fit centre back.

Defenders were always going to be a priority for Pardew this month but it may result in them massively overspending to keep the club in the Premier League.

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