Newcastle are interested in Edmond Tapsoba this summer but have yet to supply a bid.
The Magpies are understood to be keen to evolve their squad ahead after securing Champions League football for the 2025/26 season.
Eddie Howe’s men gained access to the competition after finishing fifth in the Premier League last term.
Newcastle had a woeful time with defensive injuries
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The centre of defence is one key area the Premier League outfit can’t afford to neglect going into the next campaign.
Newcastle enjoyed an impressive season last time out that culminated with a Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool and the return of European football to St James’ Park.
That said, Howe’s hardly an easy route back into Europe. Key defender Sven Botman missed 13 games for the Magpies in 2024/25 after suffering consecutive knee injuries.
Jamaal Lascelles did not fare better than his defensive comrade. The Englishman spent the entire campaign on the sidelines owing to a cruciate ligament injury.
Players
Games missed through injury
Jamaal Lascelles
45
Sven Botman
13
Lewis Hall
13
With Champions League qualification set to add a minimum of eight games, potentially rising into double digits depending on how well Newcastle perform in the league phase.
Newcastle also have an age concern to work out
It’s worth pointing out that injuries won’t be the only thing on the mind of recruiters at St James’ Park.
The club currently has one of the oldest Premier League squads by average age – a problem the likes of Kieran Trippier (34), Fabian Schar (33), Dan Burn (33), Jamaal Lascelles (31), and Emil Krafth (30) are contributing to.
To be completely fair, being on the wrong side of 30 isn’t as dramatic a concern for centre-backs as it is for players higher up the pitch or with a duty to carry the ball up the flanks. But it’s a concern regardless.
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