NEWCASTLE UNITED are hoping to sign Switzerland international Fabian Schar as a centre-half replacement for Chancel Mbemba.

The Magpies, who have also held discussions with Bristol City about full-back Joe Bryan, are hoping to land Schar by triggering the £3m relegation release clause in his current contract with Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna.

However, they are not the only club to have indicated a willingness to meet Deportivo’s pre-agreed asking price, and face a major battle to persuade the 26-year-old to move to Tyneside.

Schar is currently on an extended break after representing Switzerland at the World Cup in Russia, and intends to make a decision over his future at the end of this week.

He is expected to leave Deportivo in the wake of last season’s relegation from La Liga, but is the subject of interest from at least three other clubs in the Spanish top-flight.

A couple of German sides are also understood to have held talks with his representatives, so Newcastle will have to put together an attractive financial package to lure him to the Premier League.

A three-time Swiss title winner with Basle, Schar joined German side Hoffenheim in 2015. He spent two years playing in the Bundesliga, but fell out of favour towards the end of his spell in Germany and joined Deportivo on a four-year deal last summer.

He has 42 senior caps for Switzerland, appearing in two World Cups and a European Championships, and boasts the kind of experience that Benitez is looking to add to his squad this summer.

He is currently Newcastle’s first-choice centre-half target, although Federico Fernandez is regarded as a viable alternative if Schar opts to move elsewhere.

Fernandez is set to leave Swansea in the wake of their relegation to the Championship, with the Swans expected to agree to a loan deal as they look to reduce their outgoings in the second tier.

Newcastle are short of a centre-half as Mbemba has finally completed his protracted move to Porto, with the Portuguese side having formally confirmed the transfer last night.

Mbemba left Tyneside for around €8m, having made 59 senior appearances since joining in an £8.5m move from Anderlecht in 2015.

He made a positive impression in the early stages of his Newcastle career, but gradually fell down the defensive pecking order, with the majority of his outings last season coming at left-back rather than in his preferred position of centre-half.

His ability to cover at left-back means Newcastle are also short of cover in that position, hence their interest in Bryan, who is eyeing a move away from Bristol City.

Bryan has been long been regarded as one of the best left-backs in the Championship, with his marauding attacking runs forming a key part of Bristol City’s play.

The Robins have rebuffed interest from a number of quarters in the past, but are finally expected to cash in this summer, with Bryan having entered the final year of his current deal. A bid of around £6m would probably be sufficient to persuade the Bristol City hierarchy to do business.

As well as selling Mbemba, Benitez is also keen to move on Aleksandar Mitrovic this summer, with Fulham still expected to complete a £20m deal.

However, the Magpies manager is adamant he does not want to lose any more of his first-team squad members, and is continuing to talk to Isaac Hayden in an attempt to persuade the midfielder to remain in the North-East.

Hayden submitted a transfer request earlier this summer, citing family reasons as his motivation for seeking a move away from Tyneside.

Benitez is sympathetic to the Londoner’s situation, but is adamant he does not want to lose him despite suggestions that Brighton are willing to pay £10m to acquire his services.

Hayden did not travel to Ireland for last week’s training camp, but the England Under-21 international could be involved in tonight’s friendly at Hull City.

Newcastle continue their pre-season preparations with a trip to the Kcom Stadium before flying to Portugal for a two-game tour that will see them take on Porto and Braga.

Meanwhile, former Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul is joining Championship side Norwich City as a free agent.