Newcastle United missed out on a new defender in the January transfer window.
The need for more depth at the back became apparent after Lloyd Kelly left Newcastle United in the latter stages of the transfer window.
Almost immediately after his exit, Sven Botman suffered an injury setback which kept him out for the Magpies’ last two games. There was more concern when Dan Burn went off injured against Birmingham City. Although he was fit to play against Manchester City, it was a sign of how quickly things can turn sour when replacements aren’t lined up.
Sporting director Paul Mitchell did try to sign players in January, but PSR was a big factor in their transfer business. Newcastle missed out on Abdukodir Khusanov to Man City – a move that would come back to haunt them on Saturday.
Newcastle have two important defenders whose contracts are expiring in the summer. Both Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles could leave after several years at the club. Eddie Howe confirmed contract talks with Schar but there has been no news on whether Lascelles, who is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained in March 2024, will stay past this season.
While Howe and Mitchell worry about possible alternatives, Fikayo Tomori has revealed why he opted against returning to England in January.
Why Newcastle missed out on Fikayo Tomori
AC Milan defender Tomori looked set to leave the Italian giants in January – several clubs wanted his signature.
Newcastle wanted Tomori who was rumoured to cost around £21m in the latter stages of the window. However, it looked like Tottenham Hotspur had beaten Newcastle to Tomori. The 27-year-old ultimately stayed in Milan after becoming a favoured option for new manager Sergio Conceicao following Paolo Fonseca’s exit.
Tomori has now played in five of Milan’s last seven games but missed their most recent game against Hellas Verona after being sent off in their previous fixture.
The England international took Milan’s pre-match press conference ahead of an important Champions League tie against Feyenoord – he was asked about his failed move away in January.
“I’ve always said I feel at home here, and nothing has changed,” Tomori said.
“I know there are clubs and people who talk during every transfer window, but I was and still am focused on what I must do: stay here. It is an honour and a pleasure to wear this jersey. I never felt the need or desire to leave. As long as they want me, I’ll stay here.”
Newcastle United can sign younger defensive targets
While Tomori would have immediately added value to the Magpies’ defence, Mitchell will be keen to sign a younger centre-back in the summer.
Mitchell wants Newcastle to sign youth from abroad in a bid to overcome the existing PSR issues.
Newcastle are not short of options either. Several young defenders were linked with moves to Tyneside including Benfica’s Antonio Silva, Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande and Loic Bade from Sevilla.
In the summer, Newcastle will be in a situation where they can spend with more freedom than recent transfer windows but the money must be spent wisely. There is a chance that Newcastle sign younger, lesser-known players for smaller transfer fees rather than making marquee signings.
Newcastle will prioritise a right-winger in the upcoming window, but a defender is equally important given the circumstances.
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