Newcastle United still need to strengthen in the heart of their team but who will be the players to secure their Premier League survival?

Embed from Getty Images

Newcastle United are in need of new players in some vital areas of the pitch, and with money to burn, can the Magpies secure any more talent for the second half of the season?

The Magpies are the second-worst defensive team in the league, conceding an undesirable 43 league goals this season.

As a result of these stats, reinforcements are needed in defence, and a bit of quality would not go amiss either.
The signing of Kieran Tripper from Atletico Madrid has improved things both on and off the pitch, with reports suggesting his leadership and mentality has had a big impact in the short time he has been in the North East.

With Ciaran Clark and captain Jamaal Lascelles’ days numbered at the club, attention turns to the central defensive position.

The name at the top of that list is Diego Carlos, who currently plays his football with Sevilla in La Liga. The Brazilian is a defender known for his strength, athleticism and willingness to defend. His stock has risen dramatically in the last few years with interest from around Europe.

With his contract not running out until the summer of 2024, the Magpies will have to pay the release clause of £58.4 million to secure his services.

Due to Newcastle being blessed with a well-publicised influx of cash, the side will have to pay a premium for the players they want as clubs know the financial capabilities of the Magpies and because of the desperate need to bring these types of players to St James’ Park.

Teams will up the asking price of their players because they know that Newcastle can, and in most cases will, pay the premium. This is being called the ‘Newcastle tax’ and it is almost like trying to play poker when the whole table can see your hand.

Embed from Getty Images

Newcastle could also go for a different approach by trying to sign the towering Dan Burn. The Brighton and Hove Albion defender has been linked with a move 345 miles up north to rejoin his boyhood club after spells in the academy set-up as a child.

Despite Eddie Howe’s style of football, Newcastle tend to be a route one style of team, especially under former manager Steve Bruce, and the addition of striker Chris Wood from Burnley and set-piece wizard Trippier will only help that style of play. To have a weapon like the never-ending figure of Burn in a team’s arsenal can potentially be really handy.

The defender is naturally left-footed and has experience playing as a left-back or on the left side of a back three, a defensive shape Newcastle are familiar with playing. Versatility is always important in players and this may add a couple of million pounds to the asking price.

The Seagulls turned down £10 million for the Englishmen, but with days remaining of the window, the Magpies may come back with an improved bid in another attempt to disarm one of their Premier League rivals.

Embed from Getty Images

Moving up the field ever so slightly and the name Bruno Guimaraes comes up as another Brazilian could be sealing a move to Tyneside.

The Olympique Lyonnais midfielder has been linked with a big-money transfer to the Toon for a fee that is rising to around £40 million.

Guimaraes is a deep-lying midfielder, who is known for his work ethic, ball retention and forward passing. The Brazilian is only 26 years old and could be a staple of the Newcastle midfield for the next five or six years.

The estimated value is so high due to his contract not running out until the summer of 2024 with his estimated market value around the £30 million mark.

According to sources such as the Daily Express, Guimaraes’ wages could be quadrupled if this deal goes through.

With only three days of the transfer window left, Newcastle and the board still have big decisions to make and some big money to spend. It will be very interesting to see if the Magpies can get the deals done before the time runs out.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt