Newcastle United are launching a &popund;5 million bid for Valenciennes defender Nicolas Isimat-Mirin.

The Daily Star Sunday says if that fails to come off the Toon could swoop for Brazil-born stopper Douglas.

A delegation from St James' Park has been in France this weekend in an attempt to clinch a deal for Under-21s international Simat-Mirin, 21, who has also been linked with Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool. He is a product of the famous Clairefontaine academy.

And if the Isimat-Mirin move fails to ­materialise, FC Twente defender Douglas could be the next big import.

The centre-back, who holds a Dutch passport, will be out of contract with Steve McClaren's side this summer. And Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is keen to bolster his leaky defence, seeing Douglas as the type of player who can help take the club forward.