Newcastle close in on Czech defender

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The 26-year-old Czech international has been in the Magpies' sights for several weeks, and the club tabled a £2million bid some time ago.

That offer was rejected amid interest from German side Borussia Dortmund, but it is understood Newcastle have increased their bid to between £2.5million and £3million and are now awaiting a response.

PSG chairman Alain Cayzac hinted earlier this week that Dortmund had edged ahead of the English club in the race to sign Rozehnal, and while the Magpies will want to avoid a bidding war, they have responded to the competition to signal their intent.

New manager Sam Allardyce has identified a series of defensive targets, but last week had to admit defeat in his attempts to persuade Bolton's Israeli international Ben Haim to follow him to St James' Park.

The 25-year-old opted instead to join Chelsea, leaving his former boss to turn to his alternatives.

Rozehnal began his career in his home country with Sigma Olomouc and twice won the Belgian title with Bruges before his move to PSG in 2005.

Allardyce has also been looking at Marseille skipper Habib Beye and 33-year-old Liverpool stalwart Sami Hyypia.

The Finland international had a trial at St James' as a teenager under former boss Kevin Keegan, and while he is approaching the end of his career, his experience could prove invaluable with the Magpies' rearguard in need of a major overhaul.

Hyypia, who made 29 appearances last season but saw Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger establish themselves as Rafael Benitez' first-choice central pairing, has reportedly rejected a move to Fulham.

Allardyce tore apart Newcastle's defence - and, many would argue, not before time - by releasing Titus Bramble, Craig Moore, Oguchi Onyewu and Olivier Bernard within days of his arrival on Tyneside.

Left-back Celestine Babayaro could yet follow, but with high-quality defenders in short supply, the search for replacements is painstaking.

Allardyce has already moved quickly to strengthen other areas of his squad with striker Mark Viduka and midfielder Joey Barton already on board.