Newcastle United could well remain in the market for a new defender.
While Newcastle’s defence has largely impressed this season, Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth exposed some major problems.
Indeed, it perhaps reminded people why the club were so keen to sign a new centre-back last summer.
Newcastle failed in their attempts to sign Marc Guehi after a protracted transfer saga and were left with nowhere left to turn towards the end of the window.
Since, however, more players have been linked.
Newcastle have been linked with Fikayo Tomori, though a complication has now emerged.
Newcastle’s attempts to sign Fikayo Tomori could be hijacked
The AC Milan and England defender would certainly be a logical target, given his previous experience with Chelsea in the Premier League.
In fact, earlier this month, reports suggested Newcastle were the favourites to sign Tomori.
However, according to noted transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Milan’s Serie A rivals in Juventus are set to hold fresh talks with the San Siro giants imminently.
It’s thought Juve still need to agree personal terms but the 27-year-old remains high on their list of transfer targets during the January window.
Fikayo Tomori’s stance on his future amid Newcastle United links
Rejecting a club like Juve must be difficult for any player, albeit the Old Lady are not quite the force of old.
Still, perhaps there is still some life in the Tomori to Newcastle mini-saga.
Tomori is said to want a return to the Premier League, having come through Chelsea’s academy as a youngster.
Quite whether or not he wants it enough to snub Juve remains to be seen of course but perhaps it leaves the door open for Newcastle somewhat.
Clearly, those behind the scenes wanted a new defender last summer and it’s difficult to imagine that changing too much in a relatively short space of time.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
