Newcastle United appear to be getting ready to swoop for a centre-back following injuries to Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles.
The Magpies were already planning to sign a central defender this summer, but now it is of the utmost importance following ACL injuries to Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles. Both players could potentially miss the rest of 2024.
With Fabian Schar and Dan Burn our only fit senior centre-backs, it is absolutely vital that Eddie Howe brings in reinforcements this summer.
It looks like Newcastle United are working towards just that, with Lloyd Kelly heavily tipped to join the Magpies on a free transfer when his Bournemouth contract expires.
We have also been linked with Fulham star Tosin Adarabioyo, who is another player on course to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Newcastle United need a long-term partner for Sven Botman
Deals for Kelly and Tosin would help Newcastle out with regards to PSR, while it would allow the club to invest more money elsewhere. However, you could argue that neither player is a real game-changer.
They would be squad players at best, adding more depth to a position where Newcastle desperately need more bodies.
But neither Kelly nor Tosin look like they could be Botman’s long-term partner at St James’ Park, which has to be the Magpies’ goal as they search for a centre-back.
That might force Newcastle to look further afield, and force PIF to get their chequebook out.
Newcastle favourites to sign Sporting CP star
Toon officials have also been looking abroad for potential new signings, and have been to Lisbon on multiple occasions.
And one player they have taken a shine to is Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande. The 20-year-old is tipped to become one of the best defenders around, and has been described as ‘very talented‘ by Sporting manager Ruben Amorim.
He is on Newcastle’s radar, and HITC Football insider Graeme Bailey recently told Geordie Boot Boys that Diomande could be the centre-back who arrives at St James’ Park.
Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with signing the Ivory Coast international, but a new report from Portugal suggests that it is Newcastle United who are favourites to secure his signature.
According to A Bola, the Magpies are leading the race to sign Diomande from Sporting this summer.
Ousmane Diomande will not be cheap
They report that Newcastle have made moves to discover how they can sign the youngster, and are eager to know how much he is going to cost.
Right now, he will not be cheap. Diomande has a release clause in his contract worth £69million. If Newcastle were to pay that amount, he would become the club’s most expensive signing ever. That record currently belongs to Alexander Isak, who cost £63million from Real Sociedad in 2022.
Unsurprisingly, A Bola state that Toon officials are hoping to negotiate a lower fee.
That might depend on how much other interest there is in Diomande. The report names six other clubs who are interested in him, including Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
That could lead to a bit of a bidding war for Diomande, which is exactly what Newcastle will not want. But for now, it is the Magpies who are seemingly leading this race.
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