Newcastle United’s attempts to sign a new central defender look complicated.
While Fabian Schar shows little sign of slowing down and was handed a new contract on Monday, the Swiss – already over the age of 32 – simply cannot go on forever.
Jamaal Lascelles, meanwhile, is yet to agree a new contract amid reported transfer interest from Turkish giants Besiktas.
Of Newcastle’s current central defenders at senior level, only the 23-year-old Sven Botman looks an option for the long-term.
Indeed, the club were reportedly interested in signing a defender over the course of the summer but shelved plans to focus on other areas.
Since, they’ve been linked with a few options. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, reportedly rated at £100m, is one.
Now, however, Real Madrid could complicate matters.
Jarrad Branthwaite: Real Madrid transfer latest
According to the Daily Mail, the Spanish giants are interested in the defender.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti worked with the player at Goodison Park and could turn to the 21-year-old after injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba.
In fact, the LaLiga titans are reportedly getting glowing scouting reports about Branthwaite this season.
Jarrad Branthwaite: Newcastle transfer blow
Newcastle are facing up to the very real prospect of playing next season without Champions League football after a much more difficult campaign this time around.
With that in mind, its difficult to imagine them being able to beat off competition from the likes of Real Madrid, while Manchester City have also been linked with Branthwaite.
Even if they were in the top four by the end of the season, the prospect of paying £100m for one player seems unlikely. FFP issues are believed to remain and no signing in the PIF era has come particularly close to breaking that barrier.
Sadly for Newcastle, they may have to start looking elsewhere…
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