Newcastle and Liverpool retain hope of defensive capture ahead of Champions League ties

Aymen Abdennour (right) remains likely to join Valencia this summer

NEWCASTLE UNITED could still sign Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour this summer.

 

The Magpies were thought to be out of the race to capture the 26-year-old, who is also being tracked by Liverpool.

The Premier League duo were reportedly competing with Valencia and Juventus for the Tunisia international and had given up hope of beating the two European giants.

 

But in a surprise twist it appears as though an opening could emerge for the signing of Abdennour, who is all set to leave Monaco.

For Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim the centre-half will not switch to Valencia if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

 

The Mestalla club are preparing for the second leg of their playoff qualification tie at Abdennour's Monaco tonight.

And, should the Liga side - who boast a 3-1 advantage heading into the clash - lose on aggregate to Ligue 1 outfit Monaco, then Abdennour will reportedly snub a switch.

 

It is understood he wants Champions League football and would be keen to remain at Monaco but the club are seeking to cut costs and could still sell their player.

And that hands Newcastle a slight glimmer of hope in landing the player, should manager Steve McClaren still deem the transfer option a viable prospect.

Liverpool had a £12million bid for the ace turned down earlier this summer, while Arsenal reportedly showed interest in the player.