Newcastle transfer briefing: The FOUR Serie A defenders on Toon radar

Newcastle United are still working in the hope of bringing in a defender during the remaining days of the window.

With Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Paris Saint-Germain meaning they will have to navigate a Champions League play-off, the calendar is showing no sign of letting up.

Eddie Howe would ideally like to bolster a backline that is without Tino Livramento and Fabian Schar because of injury, but viable options are in short supply. 

Here, our Newcastle expert CRAIG HOPE assesses the transfer state of play at St James’ Park…

1. What have Newcastle done so far this January? 

At senior level, nothing of note. They explored the idea of recalling Matt Targett from his loan at Middlesbrough but, respecting the player’s wishes to remain on Teesside, that possibility was shelved. Targett is out of contract in the summer and it is thought a permanent deal will be agreed between the defender and Boro, enabling him to stay in the North-East.

The continued fitness of Lewis Hall and the return to action of Dan Burn have lessened the need for cover at left back. Kieran Trippier can also operate there and Alex Murphy, the 21-year-old Irish defender, is seen as another back-up option. Ideally, Murphy would head out on loan, but that will not happen now given the want for depth.

Fringe players Joe White and Harrison Ashby have joined Bradford City on loan, while goalkeeper Max Thompson – highly thought of and involved with the first team this season – has moved to Ayr United on loan.

2. Where do they still need to strengthen?

At centre back, primarily. Fabian Schar is out until April at least after damaging ankle ligaments. Meetings have taken place this week, some of them in Paris, and I’m told there has been a slight upturn in the hopes of a deal happening before Monday’s deadline. 

Last week, the word was that the odds were low, despite the best efforts of the recruitment team. However, the chances of an incoming are now rated at 50-50 by some, and it was interesting to note both sporting director Ross Wilson and first-team recruitment lead Andy Howe present in Paris.

Newcastle are trying – and will continue to do so over the weekend – but with a pot of around £20-25m said to be the preferred budget for this month, the deal would have to be right and for a player they see having a long-term future, not just a stop-gap.

3. Which players are they targeting, for now or the summer? 

One name mentioned to me this week has been centre back Odilon Kossounou of Atalanta, although he is not thought to be a live target. 

The 25-year-old was scouted extensively during his time at Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle have watched him in Serie A, where he has been for 18 months now. It is maybe one to keep an eye on approaching the summer. They have also watched Honest Ahanor, his 17-year-old team-mate. The Nigerian is admired by most of Europe’s top clubs and Newcastle have been among those keeping tabs.

I understand the Magpies have also scouted Genoa’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy, the England Under-21 right back, and Tiago Gabriel, the 21-year-old Portuguese centre back who plays for Lecce. Dayan Methalie, the 19-year-old Toulouse defender, was a player they were ready to make a move for this month, but he is still sidelined with a knee injury.

Newcastle have been offered the chance to sign free agent Kurt Zouma, formerly of West Ham, but they will not pursue that option.

4. Who could still leave this month?

Jamaal Lascelles has been told he can go if he finds a club. However, talk of a move to Saudi Arabia was wide of the mark. Turkish clubs have long held an interest and that would appear the most likely avenue out of Newcastle for the centre back this month, but for now he remains.

Joe Willock was impressive in Paris this week and Eddie Howe will not want to lose him, although Newcastle were open to an offer earlier this month. It would, though, take a significant package for movement and, while there has been interest from Leeds and Crystal Palace, it is most likely that Willock remains, especially given his most recent performance.

Emil Krafth could possibly have moved this month but he is injured, while Howe wants to keep Kieran Trippier for the remainder of the season. The former England star is out of contract in the summer and there has been no talk of a new deal.

Meanwhile, Marseille are the latest club to show an interest in Will Osula. It appears likely that the Danish striker’s future lies away from Tyneside, but it would take a substantial offer for that to happen before Monday. He returned from an ankle injury last week and is useful squad option.

5. What should we expect in the summer? 

Despite spending £124m on Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa as replacement for £125m Alexander Isak, Newcastle must decide what to do at centre forward. The position remains a concern and it would be a bold move for change, but don’t rule it out.

Interest in AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit will be revived. It was hoped a deal could be pushed through this month, but the information received at the start of the window was that it would take a fee approaching £50m to sign the 19-year-old now. 

There is stiff competition, but Newcastle would likely pitch a move to Tyneside as a potential next step towards Real Madrid, which is where the player is thought to prefer in the long term.

A new goalkeeper and defenders across the back four are also on the medium-term wish-list.