A deadline-busting deal for Newcastle to sign Issa Diop will only happen if West Ham can beat the deadline themselves to sign a new centre-back.

There have been late suggestions that the Magpies have tabled a bid for the Frenchman on the final day of the transfer window.

But as we reported over the weekend, the only way this will  happen is if the Hammers can do a deal to sign a centre-back of their own.

At this point, the Hammers are focusing their attentions on signing a new striker, amid links with Darwin Nunez at Benfica.

Newcastle have spent big money in this transfer window and could well make a big bid to sign the Frenchman but the state of the squad means that David Moyes just cannot afford to let Diop go without buying or loaning a replacement.

There have been links with Duje Caleta-Car at Marseille but it remains to be seen if that deal can be struck before the deadline.