NEWCASTLE and West Ham are set to go head to head in the race for Marseille centre-back Duje Caleta-Car.

The Croatian, 25, almost joined Liverpool in the January transfer window but the move fell through at the last minute.

However, a move is still on the cards with both sides keeping tabs on his situation, according to Calciomercato.

The newly-rich Magpies are set to make moves in the transfer market in the new year.

New boss Eddie Howe is said to want Juventus star Aaron Ramsey to be his first signing.

But the Magpies are weak all over the pitch and will be looking for stars in most positions.

In East London, the high-flying Hammers may be forced into the market after star centre-back Angelo Ogbonna was ruled out for months.

The Italian damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in the 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday.

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The Irons have also come in to some money after Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky bought a £150million stake in the club.

Kretinsky, 46, has secured a 27 per cent share of the Hammers as part of a first investment in the club which could lead to a potential takeover bid in the future.

The businessman, who also has stakes in Sainsbury's and Royal Mail, will take a seat on the board of the London club who in the midst of a genuine effort to be regarded as one of the Premier League's biggest teams.

The deal puts an overall value on West Ham close to £700m, and is the latest good news for supporters with the team currently sat third in the top flight.

According to RMC Sport, Liverpool had a deal in place to sign then-24-year-old Caleta-Car in January.

It is understood he travelled to Mairgnane airport with his girlfriend to fly via private jet to Manchester.

But, it is claimed Marseille caused a stumbling block in the transfer, having failed to identify a replacement.

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As a result, Caleta-Car did not board the flight which left the deal up in the air.

But it was later reported Marseille rejected a £23m bid to ensure the player remains in France.

Caleta-Car's partner Adriana Durdevic, even hinted at the move on social media as she posted a video with Liverpool's famous Beatles song 'All You Need Is Love'.

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