Newcastle have been linked with a move for Ipswich’s highly rated young centre-back Titus Bramble.

Bramble has been attracting a lot of interest from several top Premiership club’s since he broke into the Ipswich side three season’s ago.

Bramble is one of England’s best young defenders and has several U21 caps to his name, though he is yet to make it into the senior team. His current with Ipswich runs out in 2004 and Bramble has refused to sign an extension to the deal.

Newcastle and Spurs are strong favourites to land him, though both are prepared to wait until the summer to make their move. If Ipswich are relegated, it is understood sales will have to be made, and Bramble represents Ipswich’s prize asset.

The player is valued at around Ł7 Million, and it is understood that manager Bobby Robson sees Bramble as Newcastle’s missing rock at the back. Bramble is big friends with Newcastle’s other former Ipswich start Kieron Dyer, and he could well be the key to the move.