NEWCASTLE United are closing in on the signings of Manchester United's Alan Smith and Brazil international Cacapa after confirming they are in discussions with both players.

The Magpies have agreed terms with the Old Trafford club for Smith and are currently in discussions with the England star.

And Newcastle are also in talks with former Lyon captain Cacapa.

Toon boss Sam Allardyce said: "Cacapa is a top player and we will be delighted if we can pull this off as we regard him as a big capture.

"Our fans should not be put off by the fact they may not have heard of Cacapa because he has certainly been heard of in Brazil and France.

"He has been captain of Lyon for the past five years and for every one of those five years they have won the French title, so obviously he has a lot of Champions League experience.

"That's why we are hoping everything goes OK with his medical and we can agree a deal with his people because he would be a terrific capture for us."

Cacapa, 31, won no fewer than 10 major medals during his time with Lyon, including five Ligue 1 championships. He has also been capped three times for Brazil. 

On Smith, Big Sam added: "I am hoping that the Alan Smith deal will go through on Thursday.

"He has other clubs to consider and I am hoping we are top of his list," he told the Evening Chronicle.

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