Report: Liverpool and Newcastle United want Nicolas Isimat-Mirin

Liverpool and Newcastle United are reportedly ready to do battle for highly-rated French defender Nicolas Isimat-Mirin.

According to The Metro, Liverpool are the frontrunners, having scouted the 21-year-old all season, although Newcastle scout Graham Carr has urged his club to make a bid.

Valenciennes are supposedly ready to do business at around £4m and would favour a bid that allows Mirin to remain in France on loan for the rest of the season.

Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon are also said to be interested but Mirin himself, who has only made 31 first-team appearances, appears to favour a move to England.