Newcastle United are expected to strengthen their defence over the next two transfer windows and a new £60m target has emerged.
Newcastle United are still in desperate need of defensive reinforcements after failing to land Marc Guehi over the summer.
The Crystal Palace centre-back became the top priority over the summer window but Newcastle walked away from the Guehi deal after his price tag rose above £70m.
Newcastle could return for Guehi in January, but the club are also preparing alternative centre-back targets.
Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are set to return from injury in 2025, but Newcastle chiefs are still eager to strengthen in defence with Fabian Schar and Dan Burn now in the final year of their contracts.
Newcastle United target £60m centre-back target
Newcastle will prioritise a right-sided winger in January, meaning a centre-back signing may have to wait until the summer.
Sporting director Paul Mitchell is set to be handed a £70m budget for the January window.
According to CaughtOffside, Newcastle are among the potential suitors for RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba.
The report adds that Premier League rivals Aston Villa are plotting an ambitious move for Lukeba while Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid also share an interest.
The 21-year-old centre-back is valued at £60m by Leipzig, who are aware they have a top-class talent on their hands.
Castello Lukeba is a ‘rough diamond’
Lukeba is the latest name added to Newcastle’s centre-back shopping list, and is also one of the more unfamiliar names.
But the France international is currently one of the most promising young defenders in Europe after bursting onto the scene with Leipzig.
He joined Leipzig from Lyon for around £28m in 2023 and has filled the void left by Josko Gvardiol after he joined Manchester City.
READ MORE: Arsenal and Tottenham now want to sign Newcastle target who ‘has all the ability in the world’
As per Lukeba’s Bundesliga profile, Leipzig have found a “rough diamond” in Lukeba, who was part of the second-best defence in Germany last season.
It adds that Lukeba ranked in the top 99th percentile for interceptions during his time at French outfit Lyon.
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