Gossip: Magpies close to sealing Diomande deal

Newcastle United are leading the race to sign 20-year-old Sporting Lisbon and Ivory Coast centre-back Ousmane Diomande, who has a release clause of 80m euros (£68.7m). (A Bola - in Portuguese)

The Magpies are interested in signing 24-year-old England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Chelsea this summer, but Tottenham seem well placed to seal the deal. (Football Insider)

Newcastle are also keen on 28-year-old Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy, with Arsenal also linked with the Frenchman . (L'Equipe - in French)

Finally, the club are set to sign 19-year-old Chelsea academy graduate and England Under-21 defender Lewis Hall on a permanent deal in the summer. (Football Insider)

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column