Newcastle United and Manchester City are battling for Steaua Bucharest defender Dorin Goian.

The Sunday Sun says Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce and Manchester City rival Sven Goran Eriksson sent scouts to watch Goian in Champions League action for Steaua Bucharest in midweek.

And with Steaua on their way out of the competition after Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Slavia Prague, the race for £3.5 million-rated Goian is on.

At almost 6ft 5in, the 26-year-old has real physical presence and is renowned as a threat at set pieces.

Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart have also monitored his progress at Steaua and for the Romanian national team.