Sources: Newcastle United’s new defender transfer plan revealed
Newcastle are not expected to make a move to sign Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic in the January transfer window despite their current defensive woes.
Eddie Howe is dealing with a defensive injury crisis right now, with Tino Livramento facing eight weeks out, while Fabian Schar is not expected back until April, and Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are also sidelined.
His lack of defensive options has seen the club linked with a whole host of defensive signings, with Toulouse’s Dayann Methalie a known target for the Magpies.
Football Insider revealed on Friday that Newcastle are among the clubs eyeing a move for Muharemovic, who has been a standout in Serie A for Sassuolo this season.
Several top Italian clubs are also in the race for his services, and they may now hold the advantage in the race for his services with Newcastle unlikely to seal a deal this month, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast.
Newcastle not expected to make Muharemovic approach this month
Muharemovic joined Sassuolo from Juventus last summer, after a loan spell in which he made 30 appearances and helped them to promotion to Serie A.
The 22-year-old has registered two goals and assists each from centre-back in 17 top flight appearances so far in 2025-26, with numerous bigger clubs tracking his progress as a result.
Newcastle are set to sign a centre-back this month if they pick up any more injuries, but Bosnian international Muharemovic is unlikely to be the man to move to St James’ Park.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “I don’t expect them to move for him in January. I think it’s maybe a more long-term target for the summer window.
“It’ll be a difficult deal to do in January, and it think it is one where Sassuolo don’t want to lose him midway through the season, as well.
“For Newcastle, they’ll continue to keep tabs on him and will continue to monitor him, but it’s probably more a deal that they would look to do in the summer, if they are to firm up their interest in the player.“
Newcastle could move for Stefan de Vrij to bolster centre-back options
Their raft of defensive injuries has not particularly hampered Newcastle, with four wins from their last five games to move back up to sixth in the Premier League.
It is clear that reinforcements will need to be signed at some point in the near future, though, with players aging and some potentially set to leave in the summer.
Football Insider have revealed that Newcastle have registered their interest in De Vrij, who is open to a move away from Inter, having made just three Serie A appearances so far this term.
They do face competition from Nottingham Forest in the race for the 33-year-old, but could tempt him to Tyneside with the promise of regular game time at the right end of the table.