Newcastle United are reportedly keeping tabs on Eintracht Frankfurt star Djibril Sow as sporting director Dan Ashworth seeks to bolster the Magpies' midfield ranks.
What's the word?
According to Sport Bild, the Tynesiders - as well as fellow Premier League sides Arsenal and Nottingham Forest - are interested in signing the 25-year-old ahead of the January transfer window, following the Swiss international's impressive form for both club and country.
The 35-cap colossus - who is currently representing his nation at the World Cup - was reportedly the subject of a £17m offer from Forest during the summer, while Crystal Palace were also mooted for a move at the time.
As for the St James' Park outfit, Eddie Howe and co are seemingly on the hunt to strengthen their options in the centre of the park, with journalist Craig Hope previously suggesting that a new midfielder could well be a "priority" for the Champions League hopefuls.
Imagine him and Bruno Guimaraes
Turning to Sow could well be an astute move for Ashworth in the New Year, with the Zurich-born ace having played a vital role in helping to steer Switzerland into the knockout stages in Qatar, after starting all three games in the group phase.
Equally, at club level the "combative" machine - as described by journalist Sam Smith - has also shown his class from his defensive midfield berth, having been integral to the German outfit's Europa League triumph last term, averaging 1.8 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game in the competition.
As for the current campaign, the 6 foot menace has scored twice in 15 Bundesliga outings thus far, while the £34k-per-week man also ranks in the top 12% in Europe among those in his position for interceptions made as a marker of his ball-winning prowess.
Should the northeast side be able to bring the former Young Boys titan to England next month it could well allow Howe to form a menacing midfield partnership involving the Frankfurt man and Bruno Guimaraes, with the Brazilian already thriving for the club at present.
Like Sow, the former Lyon gem - who was snapped up on a £40m deal in January - is also seemingly adept at winning back possession for his side, as the 25-year-old ranks in the top 3% for tackles made, as per FBref.
While the "world-class" talent, as described by teammate Dan Burn, has thrived in his role in front of the back four of late, bringing in Sow could well allow Guimaraes to take on a more advanced berth, with the player himself having previously suggested he is at his best in a more box-to-box role.
With the latter man already impressing with eight goals and three assists in just 31 games for Newcastle to date, allowing him to take on a more dynamic starting berth could well lead to an even greater impact in an attacking sense, hence the desire to recruit an out-and-out holding midfielder.
As such, should Ashworth be able to snap up Sow it could well have positive repercussions for Howe's side, with the hope now that the club can win the race for his signature amid the intense rival interest.