Birmingham City are interested in strengthening their rearguard with the services of Ciaran Clark from Newcastle United, as per the Daily Mail.
John Eustace's men are gradually assembling a squad with the depth to compete over a 46-game season in the Championship, and adding Clark's leadership and experience to the backline would certainly increase their chances of maintaining second tier status.
The Blues have been on a steady decline for some years now, and bringing in a no nonsense centre back with bags of Premier League experience could be just what they need to turn the tide.
Here, we have taken a look at one winner and one loser at St Andrew's if Blues seal the deal for Clark...
Winner: Nico Gordon
Gordon was a shining light in a very difficult second half of last season for the Blues.
The 20-year-old started the club's last 11 league outings under Lee Bowyer and will be hoping to build on that platform in the upcoming campaign.
Clark would come in and offer direct competition for a starting berth with Gordon, but in the long run the Irishman could have a very positive influence on his development.
Clark has been involved in some difficult relegation battles in his time at Aston Villa and the Magpies, and could be a calming influence in what may otherwise be a damaging season for Gordon's confidence, if the Blues are unable to put up a credible fight against the drop.
Loser: Harlee Dean
Harlee Dean was loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday in the second half of last season, and it would be a surprise to see him play a major role under Eustace this term.
It is a positive for his first team prospects that there has been a change of manager, but Clark arriving would provide a like-for-like replacement for the 30-year-old, who could depart as a result.
Leaving the Blues would not necessarily be a negative occurrence for the future of Dean's career, but it is unlikely that he would be able to secure a transfer to another second tier club, and therefore a pay-cut would be on the cards should he drop to League One.