With Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez likely to leave Newcastle United this summer, Eddie Howe will be left with Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Dan Burn at centre-back next season.
The 44-year-old is expected to sign another defender as a result, but it remains to be seen who they’ll get – Burnley’s James Tarkowski, Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings and LOSC Lille’s Sven Botman are among the names on their radar.
And although AC Milan are leading the race for Botman and are a more desirable destination for the 22-year-old, Paddy Kenny believes Newcastle still have a chance of signing him.
He told Football Insider: “It depends on whether Botman wants to play in the Premier League. It is the best league going. It’s whether you want Champions League with AC Milan or the project at Newcastle and the bigger picture.
“I can see him being tempted but it will be interesting to see if he chooses Newcastle over AC Milan. It would be interesting if he picked Newcastle, you have to say that.”
Newcastle have lucrative funds following their takeover by Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media and are strengthening their squad every transfer window, but they’re still at the beginning of their project.
Milan, however, are coming off the back of winning Serie A and will be playing in the Champions League next season, so why wouldn’t a player pick the Italians over the Magpies?
Newcastle tried to sign Botman in January to no avail and may not have any luck this summer either.
In other news, Newcastle told to pay ‘great price’ for Dean Henderson
