NUFC can land their next Coloccini with £18m-rated beast who's "like Eden Hazard" - opinion

Newcastle United have learned the latest on the future of Lyon defender Jason Denayer who has been previously linked with a summer move to St. James’ Park.

Speaking to Belgian outlet Derniere Heure via The Chronicle, the centre-back’s agent Jesse de Preter said that his client’s next decision will be a ‘sporting’ one.

“Jason remains open to an extension,” de Preter said.

“He is in a comfortable situation and has the luxury of being able to weigh the pros and cons in order to make the right decision.

“His ambition is to play in a Champions League final. Not a dream, an ambition.

“He is entering the best four or five years of his career and wants to make a purely sporting choice.”

The Mirror reported last month that Newcastle are on red alert for the 26-year-old whose contract at the Ligue 1 club expires in June and who spent the 2016/17 Premier League season on loan at the Magpies’ fierce rivals Sunderland from Manchester City.

Now five years on, the defender is much more mature and has proven to be a shrewd acquisition for French outfit Lyon who signed Denayer from City in August 2018.

Despite previous connections with Newcastle’s unpopular North-East neighbours, Denayer would certainly be a good signing Eddie Howe’s squad.

The additions of Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier have so far bode well for the Magpies but adding the Belgian at the back would certainly solidify United.

Five years ago, the 26-year-old played 27 times for the Black Cats as they were relegated from the Premier League, a level that the League One outfit can only dream of currently.

Prior to his spell on Wearside, the centre-back excelled on loan for Celtic and emerged in the Belgium set up, with then-manager Marc Wilmots saying: “Jason is like Eden