As Danny Ings joins Liverpool and Charlie Austin’s hefty price-tag is likely to ward off any immediate interest, it looks like it will be a while before a much-needed striker is landed by Charnley, Carr & Co. So, we have taken a look at the other area where serious investment is required: in the centre of defence.
Joel Matip
A speculative link at best. Matip has, according to the Chronicle, been linked with a £10million move to St James’ Park. Matip, a 26-time capped Cameroonian international, has been a starter for German side Schalke in the second half of the season and played in the 4-3 thriller against Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League. A decent header of the ball at nearly two meters tall, Matip would be a much needed commanding presence in the back four. If he is to leave Schalke however, it is likely that he will be looking to move to a club playing in Europe at the very least. The £10million price-tag would also be a sticking point given Newcastle’s recent transfer policy.
James Chester
With reports of a move towards focusing on signing British players, relegated Hull City’s James Chester is believed to be a target of the club. Chester gave some reasonable performances last term and is one of the better players that Hull will be desperate to hold on to. Strong in the tackle and confident on the ball, Chester would be a stark contrast to the soon-departing Mike Williamson. Chester has been a liability in the air at times however, and struggled against the physicality of the likes of Pelle and Carroll. Again the reported price tag is around £10 million but, unlike with Matip, Newcastle offer a step up for the ambitious former Man United player and if the interest is serious he may look to force a move away.
Steven Caulker
Back to back relegations for Cardiff and QPR have undermined Caulker’s reputation but, like Chester, he gave performances that showed he is of Premiership quality. His strength in the air would solidify the defence that looked incapable of defending set pieces effectively and at 23 has the potential to develop into an excellent player. It would take a sizeable fee to pry him from QPR but the lure of the Premier League may be too great for a man who still harbours ambitions of representing England in next year’s European Championship.
Micah Richards
A favourite of Steve McClaren’s during his England days, Richards would be available on a free – something that would greatly attract the Newcastle hierarchy. Richards is experienced at the highest level and his ability to play as both a centre-back and on the right hand side would also be a bonus to the shrinking squad. Richards’ wages may prove a sticking point but if he could be got over the infamous line, he would be an excellent signing.
Virgil van Dijk
Regularly linked with Newcastle, Van Dijk may decide that this summer is the time to move on from the Scottish Champions. A fee around £8 million may be enough to prise the Dutchman away from Celtic and the player is said to be looking for a new challenge after back-to-back Scottish League titles. Although linked with several Premier League clubs, a swift move for the Dutch international could see him playing on Tyneside next season.
Andreas Bjelland
Bjelland could look to link up with his one-time former Twente manager McClaren. The Danish international is now skipper of McClaren’s former side and is a formidable central defender. A natural leader and with just one year left on his current deal, Bjelland could be the man to shore up the Premier League’s second worst defence.
Joe Gomez
The Charlton youngster has represented the England under 19s and broke into the first team this season. A hugely promising player, he has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City but his desire to be more than an ‘unused squad player’ makes such a move unlikely. At Newcastle he could play a back-up role alongside Jamaal Lascelles and would make an excellent ‘second signing’ if one of the club’s bigger targets was also landed. He would get an opportunity to impress and to fulfil his undoubted potential.
