By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

18th Jul, 2023 | 2:25pm

Sources: Axel Disasi agrees Newcastle United terms after talks open

Newcastle United have opened talks to sign Axel Disasi from AS Monaco, sources have told Football Insider.

The north-east giants have reached a verbal agreement with Disasi over personal terms but negotiations are still ongoing over the transfer fee.

A deal for the 25-year-old could be done for around £40million but the two clubs are still at a very early stage in the negotiating process.

The centre-back’s current contract at Monaco runs until 2025 after he joined from Stade Reims in 2020.

Eddie Howe’s current first team centre-back options include Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and club captain Jamaal Lascelles as well as recent arrival Dan Burn who can be deployed at left-back or centre-half.

But, the Magpies could be set to lose Lascelles this summer.

Earlier this month (3 July), Football Insider revealed that the 29-year-old will need to leave St James’ Park this summer if he wants to play regular first-team football.

It is likely that the defender will find opportunities hard to come by next season, despite his influence in the dressing room.

Lascelles made just 11 appearances across all competitions last term and was only included in the starting lineup for five of those outings.

Disasi, on the other hand, made 49 appearances across all competitions for the Ligue 1 side and netted six goals in those outings, offering up four assists.

The centre-back was in the starting XI for all but one of those outings.

On Tuesday (18 July), Football Insider revealed that the Magpies are on course for another big-money window.

Howe’s side are planning to complete their summer business with deals for a left-back, centre-back and wide forward.

In other news, Kieran Maguire drops ‘huge’ Newcastle United claim after announcement.