NEWCASTLE have stepped up their interest in Crystal Palace full-back Nathaniel Clyne, but have earmarked Lyon's Aly Cissokho as an alternative option should they be unable to complete a deal for the 21-year-old.

Magpies manager Alan Pardew is hoping to sign a centre-half and a full-back this summer as he looks to overhaul his back four.

With Danny Simpson's future extremely uncertain following his refusal to sign a new contract, Pardew has been devoting much of his time to scouting right-backs, and while France international Mathieu Debuchy remains a major target, the highly-rated Clyne is commanding equal attention in the corridors of power at St James' Park.

The England Under-21 international is certain to leave Crystal Palace this summer as his contract is due to expire and he has rejected an offer to discuss a new deal.

Fulham and West Ham have also been linked with a possible move for the youngster, but Newcastle are hoping to leap to the front of the queue by holding simultaneous discussions with Clyne's representatives and Palace officials.

The Eagles have already signed a replacement in the guise of former Portsmouth full-back Joel Ward, but Clyne will not be leaving on a free transfer because he is under 23.

His new employers could opt to go to a tribunal in order to fix a compensatory fee, but Palace boss Dougie Freedman expects them to agree a price with the Selhurst Park club's hierarchy rather than gambling on an independent hearing.

"I don't think people will do that because they get very nervous with going to tribunals - there is not one set figure," said Freedman.

"Any responsible club would rather sit down face to face with our chairman and say, 'let's thrash a deal out' if they want the kid. I believe it will go that route, it's just a matter of seeing what happens.

"Nathaniel must have ideas where he is going to go because he has had a very good financial contract put on the table here. To turn that down he must have one or two options."

While either Clyne or Debuchy would be a like-for-like replacement for Simpson, Davide Santon's ability to play on either flank means Pardew could opt to sign a left-back instead, and Cissokho has reemerged as an option after he was initially linked with a possible move to the North-East last summer.

The 24-year-old has just enjoyed a successful season with Lyon, helping the French side to fourth in Ligue One and contributing to their victory in the Coupe de France.

However, even though he still has two years of his current deal to run, sources in France claim he is likely to leave the Stade Gerland this summer, and Newcastle are one of a number of clubs to have expressed an initial interest.

They have watched Cissokho sporadically for the best part of two years, and their scouting team regard the former Porto defender as an ideal candidate to succeed in the Premier League.

Manchester United have also been linked with Cissokho, although Everton's Leighton Baines is believed to be Sir Alex Ferguson's preferred replacement for Patrice Evra, whose Old Trafford future has recently been cast into doubt.

Italian side Napoli have also previously made approaches for Cissokho, who is not part of the France squad at Euro 2012.

Fabrizio Ferrari, Cissokho's agent, said: "He would be interested in playing in Italy, and it would be a good time to take him. But we also know English club are very interested in Aly. A valuation? I think you can take him with 8m Euros."