'Achievable' £60m Newcastle United target is 'not happy' at current club, wants 'new challenge'

Newcastle United's latest Premier League outing saw them bounce immediately back from their disappointing 4-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. The Magpies thumped an in-form Fulham 3-0 at St James' Park to bank their ninth win of the season.

However, there has been disappointment in Europe and the main aim for Eddie Howe and his side is to secure Champions League football again next season. Newcastle crashed out of the tournament earlier this week following their defeat to AC Milan, without a Europa League spot as a way to console them.

The focus is now on securing another top four finish in the Premier League, as well as preparing for their clash with Chelsea in the Carabao Cup quarter-final. And amid a difficult flurry of injuries at SJP, Howe and co will need some new recruits to pad out the squad.

German outlet Bild recently reported that Newcastle are among the 'top clubs' keen on signing Bayer Leverkusen's Piero Hincapié in the winter window as Howe looks to prioritise bringing in a new central defender.

Journalist Florian Plettenberg has provided an update on the situation, reporting that Hincapié is now 'open for a new challenge' as he wants more minutes on the pitch. The 21-year-old is reportedly 'not happy as a substitute' but Leverkusen want to keep him on the books.

The centre-back has featured in just seven Bundesliga matches this season, including two starts and five appearances with limited minutes. Hincapié is under contract with Leverkusen until 2027 and has a reported release clause of €70 million (£60m).

Newcastle's Premier League rivals Liverpool are also said to be interested in the centre-back, who can also play on the left as has even shifted into midfield when called upon. However, despite the interest from other outfits, D Sports reporter Christian Martin has said that the Magpies are 'serious' about signing Hincapié, and he has described his release clause as an 'achievable' figure for Newcastle.