The Sunday Express says Schalke want around £10million for the 6ft 3 in defender but with the 23-year-old just having 12 months of his contract to run Newcastle don’t want to pay more than £7million.
While Steve McClaren continues to pursue QPR striker Charlie Austin and Wolfsburg’s Dutch forward Bas Dost he knows that the centre of defence has been a cause for concern in the Toon’s slide into relegation trouble last season.
Newcastle are also interested in Ipswich Town left back Tyrone Mings but have yet to submit a bid.
