Newcastle aren’t short of defenders, with Ciaran Clark, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schär and Federico Fernández at their disposal. However, Schar and Fernandez are out of contract this summer and could be on their way out of St James Park.
The Magpies may need to identify a replacement at centre-back and Calciomercato claimed that Newcastle have identified a potential long-term option from Juventus in Radu Drăgușin.
The 19-year-old joined the Bianconeri from Regal Bucharest in 2018 and has gone on to make regular appearances at underage and reserve team level, as well as four senior games for Juventus. [Transfermarkt]
Drăgușin broke into the first team this season, but his future in Turin is uncertain as he finds himself behind Matthijs de Ligt, Merih Demiral, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini in the centre-back pecking order.
His current contract at Juventus expires on 30 June, so Newcastle could take advantage of the situation by securing him on a free transfer if he doesn’t agree a new deal with the Serie A champions. Calciomercato reported that RB Leipzig are also interested in the Romanian but the Toon Army are cited as a ‘concrete option’ for the teenager, so time will tell whether they can win the race for his signature.
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There’s still a chance that Schar and Fernandez could extend their respective contracts for another year, so there’s no guarantee that Drăgușin has a chance of getting playing time next season even if he doesn’t make the move to Tyneside.
However, with Newcastle running the risk of losing two central defensive options, there’s no harm in at least engaging in a bout of succession planning by scoping out the Juventus teenager.
