Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew will be shopping for defenders in January.

The Journal says Newcastle are once again interested in Montpellier centre-back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who will be allowed to talk to interested clubs from January as his contract expires in the summer.

United passed on the 23-year-old over the close season because of the prohibitive price that was being demanded by Montpellier and agent's costs. But with both the French club and the player eager to move on, it is an option being investigated.