Newcastle identify two Premier League targets and Liga Portugal pair in centre-back hunt

Much like our wait for a new right-winger, Newcastle have been linked with moves for a new right-sided centre-back for several windows now.

Fabian Schar signed a new deal last week, but it's accepted that the 33-year-old needs fresh competition as we prepare for a season in Europe, especially with Jamaal Lascelles on course to be released this summer.

The question is, who will we sign? Paul Mitchell has plenty to ponder and a new report has revealed four options currently under consideration.

Two Premier League options

Starting with the two domestic targets, The Athletic report that our interest in Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi has not gone away, while Bournemouth's Illia Zabarnyi has also emerged as an option.

Guehi was pursued for a large part of the last summer window, but Palace stood firm and rejected a number of big offers for their captain.

However, almost a full season later, he's still not signed a new deal and looks increasingly likely to leave this summer with his contract approaching its final 12 months.

As for Zabarnyi, it's thought the 22-year-old Ukrainian has several admirers on Tyneside and is the second domestic option under considerations, with teammate and fellow target Dean Huijsen tipped to join Real Madrid thanks to a tempting £50m release clause that will become active this summer.

Both Guehi and Zabarnyi are seen as 'plug in and play' options who would not require any time to adapt to English football; but they'd both be 'expensive.'

Liga Portugal pair on radar

Moving abroad, The Athletic reveal two young talents starring in Portugal who are being watched closely by Newcastle's recruitment team.

They are Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande and Benfica’s Antonio Silva. Both are 21 and may take time to acclimatise, but Howe has gone on record before saying he prefers overseas arrivals to sign in the summer, giving them a period to settle and a pre-season with the squad.

They'd also be cheaper alternatives to the Premier League pair of Guehi and Zabarnyi, freeing up some funds to spend on other areas of the squad.

Whoever signs, it's hoped a right-sided centre-back will finally put Schar's starting position under threat, increasing competition and boosting our options to help us compete on four fronts next season.