An update has emerged on Newcastle United's pursuit of a new centre-back signing for Eddie Howe's squad...

What's the talk?

According to French outlet L'Equipe, the Magpies have prepared a bid to sign West Ham defender Issa Diop this month.

The report claims that the offer is set to be as high as €12m (£10m) and that the Hammers could allow him to leave if he refuses to sign a contract extension.

Howe will be buzzing

Howe will surely be buzzing with this news for multiple reasons. Firstly, he will be pleased with the club being proactive and looking to make serious moves early in the window instead of considering their options for weeks and then trying to do business closer to deadline day.

The later they leave it, the higher chance there is of other clubs snapping them up before they get a chance, or of the selling team raising their price. If Newcastle try to sign a top target late in the month, they may then have to pay a premium, as the selling club would have less time to source a replacement of their own, potentially prompting them to increase their asking price.

This is why Howe will be delighted with how quickly the club appear to be working. He will also be buzzing with the prospect of Diop arriving at St James' Park this month, as he is a proven Premier League performer who could come in and improve the team.

Newcastle have the joint-worst defensive record in the Premier League and have only kept one clean sheet in 19 matches, suggesting that their backline is in dire need of attention. In the West Ham centre-back, Howe could find a player who is immediately able to strengthen the Magpies' defence.

In the Europa League this season, Diop has averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.26, with West Ham keeping four clean sheets in his five starts. Last term in the Premier League, the Frenchman averaged a score of 6.92 as he won 57% of his duels overall.

This shows that he is capable of performing consistently at the top level and Howe could love to work with him on Tyneside to get him playing at his best. That is why the ex-Bournemouth coach will be buzzing with this news and praying that Nick Hammond is able to clinch a deal as soon as possible.

AND in other news, "I'm told": Craig Hope issues key Newcastle transfer claim which will get fans excited...