Marseille and Newcastle United battle it out for midfield target

PERTH, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 04: Olivier Ntcham of Celtic arrives at the stadium prior to the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between St. Johnstone and Celtic at McDiarmid Park on October 04, 2020 in Perth, Scotland. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille have moved ahead of Newcastle United in the race to sign Celtic’s Olivier Ntcham on deadline day.

The Hoops midfielder is likely to leave Parkhead on loan before close of play today – and United are believed to have made an enquiry to take the Frenchman until the summer, with view to a permanent deal down the line.

But, according to RMC Sport, Celtic and Marseille are locked in negotiations to strike a deal for the player, which would leave United looking elsewhere.

The window in England shuts at 11pm this evening.

The Magpies remain determined to land a midfielder in the final hours of the window, with Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury identified as Steve Bruce’s main transfer target.

Any incomings at United are dependent on players departing the football club.

Matt Ritchie and DeAndre Yedlin are two players who are closing in on departures to Bournemouth and Galatasaray respectively.