Newcastle search for defensive solutions ahead of next season is already advanced.
Newcastle Defender Exclusive
The club have been rocked by news that Sven Botman could be sidelined for up to nine months due to surgery being required on a knee injury.
The Newcastle defender was taken off during the weekend defeat to Manchester City and is set to undergo an operation in the next week. It is a major blow to the Magpies, although they had already been exploring new defensive options for next season.
It was felt they needed strengthening no matter what, but losing Botman to injury once again has thrust the need for another defender back into the spotlight. It is likely Jamaal Lascelles partners Fabian Schar for now in the heart of defence, but Dan Burn could also be required in the centre while Newcastle consider how to deal with the problem.
It is understood they have spent time profiling young players including Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini, 19, and 20-year-old Ousmane Diomande of Sporting Lisbon. Sources have confirmed an interest in both, while they also appreciate Le Havre’s Arouna Sangante.
Newcastle have previously been linked with Jean-Claire Todibo at Nice, Torino’s Alessandro Buongiorno and Juventus’ Gleison Bremer.
Signing more than one central defender might be difficult given the club’s financial situation at the moment, but there is a chance they look to Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly for a cut price deal. He is a free transfer option, although Tottenham have been looking into his situation too.
Tosin Adarabioyo of Fulham is out of contract at the end of this season and could emerge as a new target, while Everton’s Ben Godfrey has been on the radar.
Botman is considered one of Newcastle’s three gems along with Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak; his absence will cast a new shadow over the club’s season.
They were determined not to have to sell Botman but must now find a way of replacing him anyway, knowing he will likely miss the opening games of next term too.
The future of both Guimaraes and Isak are in some doubt and we revealed on Wednesday how Callum Wilson could also leave in the summer.
It is a complicated situation for manager Eddie Howe, who is attempting to end the season on a better note with his own position coming under some scrutiny.
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