The latest transfer talk from St James Park as Newcastle are linked with an international centre-back.
Newcastle United remain keen to add a defender to their squad during the January transfer window and will look to find a long-term successor to Fabian Schar over the coming months.
The Swiss international has become an integral figure in Eddie Howe’s plans as the Magpies boss has overseen a turnaround in fortunes during his near three-year reign at St James Park. Schar has seemed to become surplus to requirements under Howe’s predecessor Steve Bruce – but the arrival of the current United boss heralded an major upturn for the former Deportivo La Coruna star. Howe initially tried to sign Schar during his time in charge of Bournemouth and he left no doubt over his admiration of the man he inherited when he took charge at Newcastle in November 2021.
Speaking earlier this year, the former Cherries boss said of Schar: “There won’t be many centre-halves like Fabby,” said Howe. “He is a total one-off, I think. He is a very good defender when he is absolutely concentrated and really well-trained. He is as good a defender as I’ve seen. He reads the game really well, and the interceptions that he makes is second to none. But he would probably tell you that his biggest strengths are on the ball, and he can see things and execute things that I don’t see many other centre-halves capable of doing. That’s why he’s so important to us.
However, at the age of 32 and sitting in the final year of his current Magpies deal, both Schar and Newcastle are facing a major decision over his future on Tyneside and there is an acceptance a long-term replacement for the Swiss star is needed over the near future. The Magpies frustratingly prolonged and ultimately successful efforts to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi continued until the final hours of the summer transfer window and there are reports suggesting United will reignite their attempts to land the England international centre-back when the January transfer window opens for the business at the turn of the year. However, the Magpies have been linked with another defender in recent days and will reportedly face major competition for his signature from Premier League rivals West Ham United and Aston Villa.
HITC have claimed Jamaica international Richard King is on Newcastle’s radar, who already has 19 senior caps to his name and has captured the attention of a number of Premier League clubs after impressing for Jamaican Premier League champions Cavalier FC. Villa are said to be keen to help King link up with international team-mate Leon Bailey and Brighton are also said to retain an interest in the versatile defender as they look to continue their impressive record of handing young talent an opportunity to impress in the Premier League.
However, it is West Ham United that are said to be ‘currently leading the race’ to land King and see the defender as a suitable replacement for Ben Johnson, who joined Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town when his Hammers contract came to a close earlier this summer.
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