Newcastle United Football Club are believed to be keen to hijack Per Mertesacker?s proposed move to Werder Bremen.
The Magpies are desperate to sign a top-class central defender ahead of the new season, and manager Glenn Roeder has identified the German international for a move to St James? Park.
The Hannover star expected to clinch a £3.5million transfer to Werder within the next couple of days, although the deal depends on whether Frank Fahrenhorst will move the other way.
Mertesacker, 21, was one of the top performers in the German side during the World Cup Finals, and would represent a considerable coup were Roeder to succeed in bringing him to England.
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