Newcastle in battle to sign Toulouse midfielder

Newcastle United are locked in a head-to-head battle with Juventus to sign Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko.

Last month talkSPORT revealed that Russian side Anzhi had joined the race for the 23-year-old, but sources in Italy now claim that Juve and Newcastle are the two frontrunners for his signature.

Sissoko, who has been capped at senior level by France, has become one of Toulouse's key players since coming through the ranks in 2007.

However, he looks increasingly likely to end his nine-year association with the Ligue 1 club.

He is out of contract in June and is yet to agree a new deal.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is monitoring Sissoko's situation closely and could seek to secure a pre-contract deal early next year.