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Premier League outfit Newcastle United want Wout Faes and Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot has confirmed the defender is free to leave in the summer transfer window, speaking to Voetbal Primeur. 

According to French reporter Ignazio Genuardi, the Belgian centre-back has a number of options all across the continent, including at Serie A giants Lazio. But, given the choice, Faes would prefer to join a club plying their trade in England’s top flight. 

And it seems the tough-tackling 24-year-old is in luck. 

Walfoot claimed on Tuesday that Newcastle have identified Faes, who stands at 6ft 2ins and has represented the Rote Duivels at U21 level, as a bargain £9 million addition to Eddie Howe’s squad.  

And Reims, who have already received a bid from Newcastle for Hugo Ekitike, will not stand in Faes’ way should the Magpies firm up their interest in a man with just two years remaining on his contract. 

“He had to work at Reims for two years and he has finished those two years,” says Caillot. 

The Reims president struck a similar tone when asked about Faes a couple of weeks ago, adding that a ‘replacement’ has already been found. 

“As it stands, he will be allowed to leave,” Caillot adds. “He was supposed to do two years with us here at Stade de Reims, and he has.  

“He’ll go and grow up elsewhere. He will move to another club. As we always anticipate everything, his replacement is practically sorted.” 

Faes, a poodle-haired, David Luiz lookalike, is something of an old-school centre-half in the mould of a Jamaal Lascelles or Dan Burn. He also scored four goals in 37 Ligue 1 games in 2021/22, showcasing his talent in both boxes. 

Lascelles could depart – perhaps Steve Bruce is eyeing a reunion at West Bromwich Albion – and Faes would come a lot cheaper than the likes of Sven Botman and Diego Carlos.

Newcastle will reportedly make a £7.5 million bid for another France-based stopper in Le Havre giant Isaak Toure. 

In other news, Seven-figure teen could now head to Ibrox for just £200k as Rangers want another Bassey