Newcastle chasing Goian

Steaua Bucharest's giant 6 foot 5 defender Dorin Goian is being chased by Newcastle as they look to shore up their rocky defence. Sven Goran Eriksson is also known to be monitoring the Romanian defender.

Both Man City and Newcastle had their scouts watching Goian in the Champions League action for Steaua Bucharest in midweek. But Steaua look to be on their way out of competition after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Slavia Prague, and it may be that Goian will become available in January.

The Romanian is rated at £3.5M and the 26-year-old is good in the air as both a defender and in set plays too. He seems the exact player Sam will need to shore up Newcastle’s defense, which has been surprisingly weak in the air, when Abdoulaye Faye is out. It is also thought that Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart have also monitored the Romanian.

Goian has a reputation as a 'goal-scoring defender' despite being a defender.