Defender David Rozehnal is set to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical after Newcastle agreed a fee with Paris St Germain.
The Magpies will beat Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla to the Czech star's signature, if all goes to plan in the next 48 hours.
Boss Sam Allardyce tried to sign Rozehnal in January for his former club Bolton, but could not get the deal done in time.
The fee is thought to be in the region of £3million and the player has arrived on Tyneside looking for a four-year deal that would see him earn almost double his current wages.
Meanwhile, Irish winger Alan O'Brien has left the club under freedom of contract to join Scottish Premier League side Hibernian.
The Edinburgh outfit will pay United £200,000 in compensation under FIFA guidelines which protect clubs who have nurtured young players through their ranks.
used
dunno much abt him but big sam rarely makes a mistakes in his transfers
omgukilledkenny
Yup, he's been chased by a few top class in the past few weeks. Should be pretty good.