Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Fenerbache centre-back Attila Szalai this month.
According to Sky Sports, the Magpies and West Ham United are both showing an interest in the 23-year-old, while Serie A giants AC Milan have also joined the race for his signature.
It is understood that Szalai would cost in the region of £16.7m, with his current contract set to run out in 2025.
He played in every minute of Hungary's Euro 2020 campaign and has made 23 appearances for his country in total since making his debut back in 2019.
Here is a profile of Szalai and what he could bring to the Magpies amid potential transfer interest.
What has he done so far?
A towering centre-back, Szalai came through the ranks at Rapid Wien before making his senior debut in the Austrian Bundesliga during a 1-1 draw with Altach in May 2016.
Although Szalai struggled for first-team football at Die Grün-Weißen, he was a regular in the club's B side, scoring once in 43 matches and decided to join Mezőkövesdi SE ahead of the start of the 2017/18 campaign.
After a short spell at the Hungarian outfit, Szalai made the switch to Apollon Limassol, who were competing at the top end of Cyprus' top tier and in the Europa League.
He helped Limassol to some impressive victories in Europe before they were knocked out by PSV Eindhoven in the Qualifying Round, but Szalai would end the 2019/20 season with the first league title of his professional career.
The 6'4" defender earned a move to Fenerbache in January 2021, penning a four-and-a-half-year contract and he quickly became a fans' favourite after impressing on his debut in a 3-0 success over Konyaspor.
Last summer, Szalai played an influential role as Hungary drew with Germany and France at Euro 2020, while their only defeat came at the hands of Portugal at the Puskas Arena.
This season, he has seemingly stepped up and improved his game, featuring in all but one game in all competitions, grabbing two assists with Fenerbache sixth in the Super Lig table.
Why would Newcastle want him?
Newcastle are in desperate need to add a centre-back in the transfer market given the club's current predicament and defensive record this season.
Only Norwich City (45) have conceded more goals than the Mapgies (43) this term and they have kept just one clean sheet, which came in the 1-0 win over Burnley in December.
Jamaal Lascelles has come under criticism for his recent performances, while Federico Fernandez has struggled for fitness after picking up a thigh injury last month.
Szalai could provide Newcastle with some much-needed quality and depth in defence and he has demonstrated that he has the potential to adapt to English football with ease.
A progressive passer, Szalai has a 80% pass success rate, averaging 50.6 passes per-match and he would suit Eddie Howe's free-flowing, attacking approach where playing out from the back is vital.
Meanwhile, Szalai's defensive numbers are also impressive, registering 1.4 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 2.4 clearances and he could be an astute additon to the Magpies' squad as they battle to stay in the Premier League.
At 23, he also has the potential to get even better and be a mainstay in the Newcastle for the future, which would bode well considering the average age of the current squad at St James' Park.
What has been said about his future?
Despite reported interest from Newcastle, West Ham and AC Milan, Szalai was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea last month and it seemed as he was destined to join the west London club.
Hungary boss Marco Rossi spoke about Szalai's future and made a big claim regarding a potential transfer to the Blues, admitting it was a 'done deal'.
He said, as per Football Italia: "It's hard to name just one player, but right now I see very well Attila Szalai, who plays for Fenerbache, but I think he is joining Chelsea.
"Clearly, he has been followed by important clubs in Spain, but apparently his move to Chelsea is a done deal. It would be a great player also for Italian football."
