Newcastle United now want two unexpected signings after plan is turned on its head – sources
Newcastle United are planning to sign two central defenders in the upcoming transfer window after their summer plan was turned on its head, sources have told Football Insider.
The Magpies plans come as a direct result of serious injuries to Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman, who both face months on the treatment table with anterior cruciate ligament ruptures.
Lascelles was withdrawn in the first half of the win over West Ham on Saturday (30 March) – and it has since been confirmed that he will be missing for six to nine months.
Meanwhile, Botman underwent surgery recently on a knee injury which he initially picked up in October 2023 – and will miss a similar period.
Newcastle had been planning to swoop for a new defender regardless of injuries in their squad but are now ready to bring in two new faces during the off-season.
Newcastle plot two centre-back signings this summer after Lascelles and Botman blows
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Eddie Howe and his recruitment staff are prioritising signing a left-sided defender this summer.
Dan Burn is set to come into the heart of the Newcastle defence for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign after starting life at the club as a left-back.
Fabian Schar, who signed a new contract with the club running until 2025 in January, is the obvious candidate to line up alongside the ex-Brighton man.
Paul Dummett, who has played just four minutes of Premier League football this season, is the only other fit centre-back at the club.
Newcastle sit eighth in the top flight and are just one point adrift of potential European qualification with nine games to play this term.
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