Newcastle United are ready to offer £3.5 million for Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha.

The Sun says Toon boss Chris Hughton has only a limited transfer kitty after steering hard-up Toon to promotion.

But he is ready to splash nearly half the cash owner Mike Ashley has given him on Onuoha, 23.

The England Under-21 star is desperate to re-launch his career after making just 10 starts at Eastlands last season.

Hughton needs to bolster his defence after losing Danny Simpson for the start of next season.

Right-back Simpson, 23, had an ankle op three weeks ago and has already been ruled out of Toon's entire pre-season schedule.