Newcastle eye young centre-back and right winger after recruitment meeting - Report

Newcastle United have already turned their attention towards future transfer windows, with the club reportedly identifying two key positions they want to strengthen.

According to Mark Douglas of the iPaper, the Magpies are prioritising a young centre-back and a right-sided forward as part of their longer-term recruitment plans.

Newcastle begin planning for January and beyond 

Douglas reports that Newcastle recently brought their scouts together in the North East for a post-summer recruitment meeting, with the mood described by sources as “very upbeat” as the club looks to continue its new project.

The club are increasingly focusing on younger players and developing a player-trading model designed to keep the club “competitive and challenging for major honours for years to come”.

That approach is also being reflected in the recruitment department itself, with Newcastle recently advertising for a lead data recruitment analyst to help identify and assess potential targets. 

According to Douglas, work has already begun for January and beyond, with a youthful centre-back and a right-sided forward now being prioritised.

Why a centre-back and right winger makes sense 

Looking at the current squad and our early-season issues, neither position should come as a huge surprise.

At right wing, Jacob Murphy is now 31 and is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning Newcastle will need to start planning for life beyond one of their longest-serving players.

Murphy has been a solid member of the squad, but it makes sense for the club to be looking at a younger long-term option to compete with Anthony Elanga. 

Centre-back is another position where succession planning is needed. Fabian Schär and Dan Burn are both entering the latter stages of their careers, while Schär is also out of contract at the end of the season.

Newcastle have already shown a willingness to invest in young talent, and identifying a centre-back who can develop alongside the likes of Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman makes plenty of sense.