Newcastle United are competing with Bayern Munich for Freiburg defender Nico Schlotterbeck.

The Germany U21 international has been a major influence on Freiburg's superb Bundesliga season so far, with the minnows sitting in fourth place on the table.

Schlotterbeck's form has brought him to the attention of rival clubs, including Bayern and Newcastle.

Indeed, Sky Deutschland says Newcastle have asked Freiburg about a price for the youngster.

Schlotterbeck said earlier this season: “I'm not the type who really wants to play in England or Spain. I always wanted to play in the Bundesliga and preferably with the best club."