Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on a player who Newcastle United have been taking a look at, but will now not be signing for the Magpies.
Eddie Howe is looking to beef up his defensive options ahead of next season, with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles out of action with ACL injuries. They might not play again until 2025, which is why Newcastle United are looking to take action in the transfer market.
The Magpies want two centre-backs to arrive this summer, and the leading candidates are currently Lloyd Kelly and Tosin Adarabioyo. The pair are on course to become free agents, with their Bournemouth and Fulham contracts due to expire very soon.
Geordie Boot Boys have been told that Newcastle are confident they are going to sign Kelly, and they shared that view on Tosin. However, he is yet to decide his future with Chelsea coming in with an offer.
Player Newcastle scouted heading elsewhere for £15million
If Tosin does opt against a move to St James’ Park, Newcastle will need to look elsewhere for another centre-back.
One player they have been linked with his Belgian defender Zeno Debast, who has been impressive for Anderlecht. Toon scouts have been taking a look at the 20-year-old, with Steve Nickson travelling to watch the youngster in action.
However, it appears that the chance to bring him to the North East is going to pass Newcastle by.
That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who has taken to X to share details of where Debast is off to as he prepares to leave Anderlecht.
He wrote: “Sporting are on the verge of completing the deal for Zeno Debast as he already visited the club this week ahead of the move. Package around €18m, final details to be sorted soon for talented CB to join Sporting.”
Newcastle await Tosin Adarabioyo decision as Zeno Debast passes the Magpies by
Romano believes that Debast is on the verge of signing for Sporting in an €18million deal, which equates to £15million.
That is not a huge amount of money for a player with a lot of potential, and it shows that there is value out there if Newcastle United do fall short in their pursuit of Tosin.
While that is somewhat comforting, the Magpies’ main preference will be to get the Tosin deal over the line. He is available on a free transfer, and getting two Premier League calibre players without paying any transfer fees is going to do wonders for Newcastle’s budget.
It will mean they have more money to spend elsewhere, with Eddie Howe’s marquee signing expected to be a right winger. The likes of Jarrod Bowen and Michael Olise have been linked, but they could be too expensive.
That will certainly be the case if Newcastle have to dip into their transfer kitty to sign another centre-back, so hopefully they can reach an agreement with Tosin.
If they don’t, one alternative is no longer available as Debast prepares to join Sporting.
The post 'On the verge': Fabrizio Romano says £15m player who Newcastle scouted is set to join someone else appeared first on Geordie Boot Boys.