Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is leading the chase for Celtic captain Scott Brown.

The Mirror says Pardew's staff have been tracking the Scotland midfielder and will be free to approach him shortly.

Brown, who has been in a contract dispute with the Glasgow giants, will be allowed to negotiate a move away from Parkhead and the Geordies are being tipped to make the first, and possibly decisive, move to sign him.

The combative Brown, a player in the Joey Barton mould, could switch clubs for around £1.5million in the January window as Celtic want to avoid losing him for nothing at the end of the season.

Brown is officially clear to speak to clubs outside Scotland in the New Year and potentially agree a pre-contract for a summer switch.