Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano has been discussing Newcastle United’s hopes to bring in two new centre-backs in the January transfer window on his Here We Go podcast.
The Toon have had their scheduled game for Thursday postponed due to injuries and positive virus tests, which leaves them with just one league game before 15th January.
Is defence NUFC's biggest area for improvement?
Yes
No
However, if their game at the weekend against Southampton is also postponed, it would mean they will have two weeks without a league match to bolster their squad before they next play in the Premier League.
And Romano believes the key area Eddie Howe is looking to improve is their defence, with the Toon boss eyeing two new centre-backs next month to shore up what has proven to be an incredibly shaky backline.
Having conceded 12 goals in their last four games, Romano issued the following claim in regards to the Toon’s hopes of adding to their options in defence, with Sven Botman thought to be a priority:
“Newcastle are pushing for Sven Botman. They want to sign two centre-backs, and so Sven Botman at centre-back is the priority for Newcastle. Let’s see if they will be able to find the agreement with Lille, and at right-back, Kieran Trippier is still the priority for Newcastle. They’re working on it.”
TIF Thoughts on NUFC’s defence…
There have also been reports suggesting the Magpies will be looking to add Kieran Trippier to their defence in January and we think that could well spark the beginning of an influx of arrivals.
We feel adding someone of Trippier’s calibre at right-back could well improve their chances of acquiring centre-backs of a higher quality.
And it seems it is in defence where they need to add the most quality with the joint-most goals conceded (42) in the Premier League so far this season.
As mentioned by Romano, Botman is reportedly a target, however, we feel given the other clubs said to be interested in him, it would take some convincing to persuade the 21-year-old to sign for the relegation-battling Magpies.
In other news: ‘This is the turning point to our season’, ‘Siuuu’ – Many NUFC fans buzz over ‘brilliant news’