Carlton Palmer believes it should be a no-brainer for Newcastle United to fork out £3million for Kyle Bartley.

Magpies boss Steve Bruce is looking to beef up his defence after conceding 62 Premier League goals last season - nine more than relegated Fulham.

Florian Lejeune has also departed for Alaves having spent last season on loan with the Spanish club.

That means Bruce only has four senior central defenders at his disposal - Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez.

Newcastle have been heavily linked with making a move for 6 ft 4 Bartley, who impressed despite being unable to stop West Bromwich Albion suffering an immediate return to the Championship last season.

The 30-year-old made 31 appearances and also showed he is a threat in the opposition box by scoring three goals, but it was not enough for the Baggies to secure their Premier League status.

Palmer, who has kept a close eye on Bartley during his time at the Hawthorns, believes signing Bartley for a cut-price fee would be a shrewd piece of business by Newcastle.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: "He is absolutely worth a punt at £3million. His salary is not going to be huge compared to what you would normally pay."