Newcastle looking to swoop on Hull and Villa targets

The club is understood to have triggered the release clauses of both players over the past 24 hours.

Newcastle – who kick off their campaign at Craven Cottage on Friday night – have lodged a £4.5million bid with newly-promoted Hull City for powerful midfielder Diame.

The club are hopeful that Diame will now travel to Tyneside for talks over a move to St James’s Park, though the 29-year-old has been offered a new deal at the KCOM Stadium.

United have also reportedly met defender Clark’s £5million release clause at Aston Villa.

Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo insisted last week that Clark would stay at the club.

However, the Championship club, also relegated last season, is now braced for the departure of 26-year-old Clark, who is also a target for West Bromwich Albion.

Newcastle – who have had a bid for winger Anthony Knockaert rejected by Brighton and Hove Albion – have already signed six players this summer.

But United manager Benitez is still looking to strengthen for a number of positions as well as plan for the departure of midfielder Moussa Sissoko, who reported back to the club yesterday.

A number of clubs, including Real Madrid and Juventus, are weighing up moves for £35million-rated Sissoko.

Meanwhile, former Newcastle defender Steven Taylor has joined Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.