Newcastle join Euro giants in race for Anderlecht defender

Newcastle have joined the race for combative Anderlecht defender Cheikhou Kouyate.

The 22-year-old is highly rated across the continent after a series of impressive displays for the Belgian champions.

Anzhi Makhachkala and Zenit St Petersburg both want to take him to Russia, while German clubs Stuttgart and Wolfsburg think he can cut it in the Bundesliga.

But Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure has revealed that Alan Pardew likes the look of him and could be ready to make a bid in January.

Kouyate, 22, can play at centre-back or as a defensive midfielder, and would provide useful cover in Newcastle's squad.Anderlecht, however, are unwilling to let the Senegal international leave for less than around £7.5m.