NEWCASTLE UNITED are on the verge of pulling off a second signing of the summer by landing Eibar defender Florian Lejeune.

As revealed in The Northern Echo earlier this week, Rafael Benitez is keen to land the 26-year-old and was considering matching the £8.7m release clause in his contract.

Now it has emerged that Newcastle have indicated to his Spanish employers that they are ready to pay to get the deal done quickly.

Newcastle are aware of the strong interest in the 6ft 3in defender, including from Premier League clubs Tottenham and Arsenal.

But such interest has come to nothing so far, with neither club agreeing to pay the fee so Newcastle are keen to strike early to get things wrapped up.

Lejeune, a former Manchester City defender who also had spells with Girona before impressing for Eibar, is keen to move to the Premier League.

Provided there are no hiccups with the deal, the 26-year-old will be with the team when they return for pre-season training in early July and he will be challenging Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles for a starting spot.

By that time Benitez, who has already agreed to buy Christian Atsu for £6.2m from Chelsea, will hope to have more new players on board, with Fabian Delph back on the radar.

Delph has found opportunities limited at Manchester City and has attracted interest from Burnley, Watford and West Ham as well as from Newcastle.

The centre-midfielder is looking for a fresh challenge next season and Newcastle are keeping an eye on the situation and his valuation.

Benitez is also likely to be moving players on and, amid interest in goalkeepers Pepe Reina and Willy Caballero, Matz Sels looks like being one of the likeliest to leave.

The Belgian goalkeeper has lost his place since starting last season as first choice following his £4.5m move from Gent last summer.

Now it seems like he could leave and Anderlecht are keen to take him back home, while admitting any deal could be difficult to pull off because he is under contract until 2021 at St James’ Park.

Anderlecht’s sporting director Herman van Holsbeeck said: “He’s a good goalkeeper, but a deal will be complicated.”

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, meanwhile, is looking to extend his career if he can find a decent enough place to prove he can play at a high level.

Given, 41, has made 636 club appearances and he played for Newcastle 462 times but is a free agent following his release from Stoke City.

Given said: "There might be one last hurrah, a promotion, (it) just depends what is out there. I have no divine right to get a club but if someone came along and it was of interest, it might happen.

"I know the end is near. It could be this year, could be next year, but once you do retire, especially at my age, you can't go back in six months and say, 'I've changed my mind and I want to give it another go', and every ex-player I speak to says continue as long as you can.

"There are a couple of options, which is encouraging. I know if the phone doesn't ring by the end of the window, then I won't be moping around because the party is over, but I do feel I could play another year, definitely."