The Daily Mirror reported over the weekend that Newcastle are one of a number of clubs chasing Bristol City’s 24-year-old centre-back Adam Webster.
While anything is possible in football, it would seem highly unlikely that the Magpies will be in the market for recruits at the heart of defence this summer.
It is probably the only outfield position at which the club is well stocked, with Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Florient Lejeune, Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark all available.
Add to that Paul Dummett who can play in there as a third centre-back – and often has – and it is more likely that Newcastle will be unloading from that position rather than bringing more in.
Newcastle fans will find it hard to believe any of the current transfer speculation for any player, in any position, with the managerial situation needing to be clarified before any business can be done.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
The article claims Burnley, Southampton and Watford are the other interested clubs, and while they may well be looking at strengthening that position, Newcastle will almost certainly not be.
Newcastle will surely only strengthen at centre-back if senior player leaves
The only concern Newcastle fans will have is that something may be going on in the background that we do not know about.
Jamaal Lascelles was recently linked with Lazio from Italian sources, and Fabian Schar was said to be on the radar of Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham.
That would be the only reason that a new centre-back may be sought, but whether they would move for an untested Championship player as a replacement for either, would appear very unlikely.