Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce is set to face a real battle for a loan move for Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori in January with the Magpies lining up a move for the England international alongside other European clubs.

Tomori enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Stamford Bridge last season, with the defender making 15 Premier League starts for Frank Lampard’s side and helping the Blues record four clean sheets (Sofascore). That came off the back of an impressive loan spell at Derby County, where he won the club’s Player of the Year award for helping them reach the 2018/19 Championship play-off final.

The England international has struggled to force his way into Lampard’s starting line-up this season, though, given the arrival of the vastly experienced Thiago Silva. That has limited him to just one Premier League appearance so far this term, and it had been reported by The Northern Echo that he could be made available by the Blues in January as a player Newcastle could potentially target.

It has now emerged that the Magpies are lining up a move for the 22-year-old in January, but they are set to face competition from a couple of European clubs, including at least one ‘top’ side, as per The Telegraph. Bruce could therefore be set to face a fight to convince him to move to St James’ Park, and he already turned down a season-long loan switch to West Ham over the summer.

Read Newcastle verdict

Convincing a player of Tomori’s quality and potential to move to St James’ Park in January will not be easy for Bruce, especially considering the reported interests of at least one ‘top’ European outfit. The defender needs to get regular minutes again, though, if he is to have any chance of breaking back into the England squad in time for next summer’s European Championships and adding to his sole international cap.

In that sense, remaining in the Premier League where Gareth Southgate can have more of a watchful eye over him might be beneficial for the defender. However, Tomori will also look at the examples of Borussia Dortmund duo Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham and realise that if he performs well abroad recognition could still come his way at international level.

Tomori averaged 1.9 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game last season in the Premier League and also maintained an 87% passing accuracy (Sofascore), and those qualities could make him a tremendous addition to Newcastle’s defence if they can persuade him to swap London for Tyneside.

Will Newcastle be able to convince Tomori to make a move to St James' Park?

Yes

No