Newcastle United are preparing to offload Florian Lejeune for the rest of the season in a loan deal with Alavés.
The Frenchman is expected to join the La Liga side as Newcastle look to clear the decks and bring in another centre-back.
The Magpies were linked with Arsenal's Rob Holding last week but the move was delayed while they waited to move on either Lejeune or Fabian Schar.
Lejeune is not guaranteed his place for the Magpies in the season ahead but has been encouraged to get a full season of football under his belt after injury worries in the last two seasons.
Lejeune will soon team up with former Newcastle team-mate Joselu who scored 11 times last term to secure 16th placed for Alaves last term.
It remains to be seen whether Schar finds a club in the remainder of the window.
The Switzerland international is expect to be out for up to a month with a dislocated shoulder but it has emerged that he has the chance of a year's extension to his current contract.
