Newcastle hoping to beat Tottenham and Crystal Palace to £15m signing of Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun

NEWCASTLE hope to fend off competition from other Premiership clubs to sign Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun in the January window.

The Turkish talent has caused quite a stir since his goal against Benfica was voted Champions League goal of the tournament last season.

Tosun's flying volley for Besiktas put him firmly on the map and on the radar for clubs across Europe.

The 26-year-old's Turkish club have acknowledged the striker's appeal and have openly said they're holding out for an offer in the region of £15million pounds to release the in-demand player.

Rafa Benitez is keen to secure the striker, according to the , after watching him score twice in Turkey's World Cup fixture against Finland.

But Newcastle will have to fend off advances from Crystal Palace and Tottenham who have reportedly been keeping  tabs on the player who has spent time in the Champions League.

Tosun has made no secret of his desire to play in the Premier League and has just one year left on his contract in Istanbul.

He joined Besiktas in 2014 and was instrumental in securing their place in the Champions League last season.

Newcastle may be a more attractive option for the forward than Crystal Palace, who sit bottom of the table.

But the Eagles may up the ante in January as they're keen to secure a striker to bolster their forward options while Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham are sidelined with injuries.

Tosun has scored six times for Besiktas this season and could be just what the Magpies need, as the club's goal tally is just nine so far this season.

The Turkish striker has grown in stature since moving to Besiktas and last season scored 27 goals in 51 matches for both club and country.

Benitez has sent scouts to scour Europe ahead of the January transfer window, with Tosun seen as a front runner as he is regarded as a reliable goal scorer.