Newcastle United have scouted ‘special’ player who will cost £80m ahead of January transfer window

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Newcastle United are still looking at alternatives to Marc Guehi.

While Marc Guehi remains Newcastle’s top centre-back target, that does not necessarily mean they will be able to sign him.

Newcastle are planning a new Guehi bid in January, but it remains to be seen if Paul Mitchell will finally be able to strike a deal with Crystal Palace after Steve Parish strung him along during the summer transfer window.

Whether it is Guehi or someone else, Newcastle United absolutely need to sign another centre-back in 2025. Eddie Howe is desperately short of options in that position right now, while the likes of Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are all 30-years-old and above.

Newcastle United look at Castello Lukeba

Newcastle will try to lower their average age when they sign a new centre-back. They would do that by bringing in Guehi, who is 24-years-old.

The Magpies would lower it even further if they signed Castello Lukeba from RB Leipzig. However, that sounds like it will be extremely difficult, despite TBR Football insider Graeme Bailey telling Geordie Boot Boys that Newcastle United have scouted the 21-year-old defender.

“He is a special player – outstanding,” he said.

“Newcastle have looked at him and like him.

“He’s one of the best young defenders in Europe, and RB Leipzig know that. RB Leipzig are asking for £80million for him.

“He has a lot of major clubs looking at him, including Real Madrid. Arsenal are looking at him as a possible replacement for William Saliba.”

At £80million, Lukeba would become Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever.

Given the money involved, it feels unlikely that Newcastle will try and sign the RB Leipzig player in 2025. And even if Mitchell were to make a move, he would face competition from huge clubs like Arsenal and Real Madrid.

While Newcastle admire Lukeba, it feels likely that they will merely admire him from afar. He recently signed a new contract with RB Leipzig, with Lukeba tied down to the Bundesliga giants until 2029.

Newcastle also eye ‘future prospect’

Another alternative to Guehi is Joel Ordonez.

He is an Ecuadorian defender who is playing his football for Club Brugge, and Bailey has also told Geordie Boot Boys that Newcastle United have been watching the 20-year-old.

“He’s a player who Newcastle have looked at,” he said.

“Chelsea and Brighton liked him before he even moved to Europe. He’s done well for Club Brugge. He’s more of a future prospect.”