Newcastle switched to Sevilla defender Diego Carlos after being pressured from the transfer of Sven Botman but had to pay more than £30m

SEVILLA star Diego Carlos is now Newcastle’s top defensive target after Lille turned down a second offer for Sven Botman.

Toon boss Eddie Howe is hungry for a new centre-back – and forward – ahead of Saturday’s big relegation clash with Watford.

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Dutch defender Botman is the Magpies’ first choice but Lille insists they will not be in business in January, rejecting Newcastle’s improved £35m offer.

The French side could return to the negotiating table for £42m but Newcastle are eyeing alternatives.

Ideally, Howe wants two centre-backs as the club have already made a deal for Brazilian Carlos, 28, for a similar price.

An initial bid of £28m was rejected by LaLiga as wealthy Newcastle are accustomed to selling clubs at inflated prices, but Toon executives are hopeful a deal can be reached.

However, despite ongoing negotiations, an injury at the weekend for fellow Sevilla defender Joules Kounde could derail their plans if he is ruled out for long.

Like Carlos, they also care about the 20-year-old player Monaco star Benoit Badiashile, but he beat the Ligue 1 side on Sunday.

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Transition is another priority this week after the USags, no injured top scorer Callum Wilson, failed to score against League One Cambridge in their humiliating match Losing 1-0 in the third round of the FA Cup.

Burnley’s Chris Wood emerged as a target over the weekend but the Clarets are reluctant to lose striker Kiwi – and midfielder James Tarkowski – to a relegation opponent.

The Toon signed their first signing of the Saudi Arabia era last week, buying Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid for £12m.

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