This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

Newcastle are interested in signing Real Valladolid's Mohammed Salisu, according to Spanish outlet Pucela Fichajes.

What's the word?

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough in La Liga this season and his impressive performances have reportedly caught the eye of several clubs across Europe.

As well as the Magpies, Everton, Schalke and Sevilla are among the clubs interested, with each considering a bid of €12m (£10.2m), a fee which would activate the defender's release clause.

Sevilla and Everton are believed to be leading the race currently, but since a bid is yet to be submitted by any party it still remains unclear where his future lies.

Watch Newcastle United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Planning for the future

At first glance it seems a little odd that Newcastle are taking interest in another central defender, as it is the area of their squad that is most well-stocked with six players able to play there.

However, it is a positive step to take, as if he did join he'd have a plethora of individuals to learn from, and could gradually be eased into the starting line-up by Steve Bruce.

That would allow him to build his understanding of the Premier League and adopt the best attributes of those at the club, which could be massive in his improvement.

Planning for the long-term is a transfer strategy that has been quite alien to Newcastle in the past few months and years, and that could be a reason why they have stagnated a little since promotion in 2017.

Examples such as Fabian Schar, Andy Carroll and Salomon Rondon have arrived with varying success, with the latter two appearing to be short-term solutions.

Now with a new manager who is looking to stay at the long-term there is an opportunity to build something, if funds are available, and following the astute additions of Allan Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems, Salisu could be next to impress.

Operating with three centre-backs means the Ghanaian should get his chance even if he joined in January, and given he has conceded 17 goals in 13 La Liga appearances this season, skewed a little with five of those coming against Barcelona, he has the potential to make a surprise impact.