Newcastle United closing in on Nottingham Forest pair?

Newcastle United are reportedly close to signing Jamaal Lascelles and Karl Darlow from Nottingham Forest.

It is believed that the Magpies would be willing to loan the highly-rated pair back to the Championship club this season as part of the deal.

Defender Lascelles, 20, has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur this summer, while 23-year old goalkeeper Darlow has reportedly attracted interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.

Forest manager Stuart Pearce has previously insisted that none of his young talents would be sold unless the deal was right for the club.

According to the Nottingham Post, Newcastle will spend £7m to sign the duo, with the fee set to rise if they establish themselves at St James' Park.

The Magpies are said to be happy to loan Lascelles and Darlow back to the Reds, to allow them to continue their development at the City Ground.

Newcastle are also reportedly interested in signing striker Connor Wickham from rivals Sunderland.