Newcastle United have had a very productive transfer window so far, with Eddie Howe massively enhancing his squad ahead of the new season.
Sandro Tonali adds extra class and quality to the midfield, while Harvey Barnes will offer the goals that Allan Saint-Maximin failed to provide during his time at St James’ Park. Then we have got Tino Livramento, who provides defensive cover and a glimpse of the future.
Next on Howe’s transfer agenda is a centre-back. He wants a right-sided central defender to provide competition for Fabian Schar, who is fit for the season opener against Aston Villa.
But Newcastle know that they need a long-term replacement for the 31-year-old, and have been exploring various different options.
It is unclear how much money is left after the club took their spending beyond £100million with the Livramento deal, but there is an eagerness to add at least one more player to Howe’s squad.
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Now the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope has provided an update on what Newcastle plan to do, as well as sharing some possible targets who the Magpies have considered.
Craig Hope shares list of Newcastle’s centre-back targets
According to Hope on Twitter, Newcastle could look to do a loan deal for a new defender, but he has been told by Howe that selling someone to raise funds is not a viable option. That is no surprise, as we do not really have anyone who is worth selling for a significant amount like Saint-Maximin was.
Hope has also listed some centre-backs who Newcastle have looked at. The players on his list are: Jean-Clair Todibo, Edmond Tapsoba, Perr Schurrs, Joachim Andersen, Odilon Kossounou and Antonio Silva.
There are some familiar names on that list. Andersen has been linked all summer, with Newcastle yet to make a bid for the Crystal Palace man. Jean-Clair Todibo has also been mentioned as a target, but he is also on Manchester United’s radar.
Tottenham were looking to sign Edmond Tapsoba
The most interesting prospect out of the players listed by Hope is probably Tapsoba. He is a 24-year-old Burkina Faso international who plays for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
He has done very well in Germany, and almost secured a move to the Premier League earlier this summer.
Tapsoba was a major target for Tottenham Hotspur, but they have now decided against signing the defender who is apparently valued at £61million by Leverkusen.
With Tottenham out of the running, that could give Newcastle a chance to swoop in. However, signing Tapsoba might mean spending a near club-record fee. It is difficult to see that happening given how stretched the club’s finances are with regards to FFP.
But Newcastle have some exciting options on their radar, and you have to imagine that the club have a plan for how they could possibly finance a deal for a player as expensive as Tapsoba.