‘Incredibly calm’ defender is now unlikely to sign for Newcastle despite Paul Mitchell talks

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It seems Newcastle United will be looking to sign another defender this summer.

Obviously, Newcastle have already signed Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer from Bournemouth and there is hope manager Eddie Howe will be able to develop him even further.

Still, few would doubt there was a pretty remarkable decline in Newcastle’s defending last season.

Indeed, it was a problem Howe pointed to upon the culmination of the campaign and Kelly wasn’t the only defender targeted.

The club tried and failed to sign Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham but seemingly remain on the lookout for more targets.

One of them, however, may not be coming.

Now Paul Mitchell is through the door as the new sporting director, transfer business was always likely to ramp up.

However, one of his early targets may be bound for elsewhere.

Jean Clair-Todibo, hailed as “incredibly calm” by Germany legend Lothar Matthaus, might prove out of reach.

Newcastle are now unlikely to sign Jean Clair-Todibo

According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook on social media platform X, Mitchell is driving the interest in the 24-year-old Nice defender.

Crook, however, adds that it is deemed unlikely that Todibo will end up at Newcastle this summer.

Newcastle are making progress on their dream defensive signing

As disappointing as that may be for Mitchell if he really is targeting the Frenchman, it’s not all bad for Newcastle.

Last week, there were claims that the club were closing in on the signing of AC Milan defender, Malick Thiaw.

Previously hailed as the “dream” target of the club’s recruitment staff, the focus must surely be on trying to get that particular deal over the line.

It’s natural that Newcastle would cast the net far and wide when it comes to looking for defensive recruits of course but hopefully any progress on Thiaw would negate the need for Todibo.