Newcastle United have "taken a look" at Torino defender Gleison Bremer according to The Daily Mail's Craig Hope.

What's the story?

Eddie Howe's side have been active in these first couple of weeks of the January transfer window, snapping up the likes of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood to strengthen their ranks for the second half of the Premier League season.

And now, Hope has revealed who the Magpies' latest transfer target is for the centre-back position.

Writing on Twitter, he said: "Another name to add to list of centre-back options… Torino’s Gleison Bremer. Seems like another expensive one but I’m told NUFC have taken a look at 24-yr-old Brazilian."

Fans will be buzzing

While Bremer might not be the most recognisable name to English football fans, he has carved out a very impressive reputation in Italy for his performances for Torino.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Serie A expert Conor Clancy said: "If we're going to tick the boxes of all the old stereotypes where you've got to belittle bit strong and powerful and able to go the distance in a physical battle, then absolutely he'd suit it.

"He could probably play in a deeper midfield role as well as at the back so I think he could do quite well in England."

Those sentiments were echoed by another Italian football journalist, Carlo Garganese, who raved just last month: "Bremer has been highly-rated for a while, with the Brazilian heavily linked with a move to the Premier League last season. However, it is this season where he has truly exploded and demonstrated that he is certainly ready to join a big club."

"The 24-year-old has undoubtedly been the best defender in Serie A in the first half of the season, despite playing for a mid-table Torino side. The centre back boasts excellent pace, is aggressive and is superb in the air."

At just 24, Bremer still has plenty of years to grow and develop as a player unlike the likes of Trippier and Wood who are 31 and 30 respectively - but, crucially, he is already among the leading defenders in his league if these scouting reports are to be believed.

For a side who have conceded a whopping 42 goals this season in the Premier League - the second-most of any side in the division - getting in a genuinely impressive centre-back this January has to be high up on the agenda.

And now, Hope's update that Bremer is someone who is on the radar and that the Magpies have taken a look at him is sure to have fans buzzing.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are eyeing this La Liga outcast...