Chris Waugh has been speaking on a special transfer deadline day video by The Athletic about the transfer business that Newcastle United intend to complete.
One of the topics that Waugh briefly mentioned was the fact that the Toon might want to bring in another centre-back before the window closes today after Jamaal Lascelles was substituted in the 2-0 win over Everton and will miss the next few weeks.
Apparently, the Toon tried to sort out a loan deal for Ozan Kabak from Schalke, but it proved to be too expensive, and though they would like to bring in another defender Waugh doesn’t think they will manage it.
He said: “They’ve got a few problems at centre-back. Ideally, Steve Bruce would have liked a centre-back. They have got a few enquiries out there.
“I think at this stage, it’s looking unlikely. They’d ideally like two midfielders plus a centre-back today, but I think it’s likely to be one or two rather than three.”
Do you think Newcastle need to sign a centre-back?
No, we should be fine
Yes, we could do with another
TIF Thoughts on the Toon’s pursuit of a centre-back…
Newcastle have four natural centre-backs in Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Ciaran Clark, and Federico Fernandez, with Paul Dummett and Isaac Hayden both also capable of playing there.
However, throughout various points in the season, nearly all of the Toon’s options at centre-back have missed the odd game, so you can see why Newcastle would want another centre-back.
They do have Florian Lejeune out on loan, but there has been no mention of him coming back with Steve Bruce saying earlier this month that they stand by their decision to send him to Spain.
However, with time running out we are not sure that the Toon will get that extra centre-back and they might have to make do with what they have got for the rest of the season.