Newcastle United have been linked with a trio of defenders over the past 24 hours as we await a breakthrough in the transfer market.
Starting in Serie A, Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport claim we are considering making a second attempt to sign Napoli left-back Faouzi Ghoulam.
They report that we had a loan bid rejected for the 29-year-old in January, but believe we have not ended our interest in the rarely-used Algerian and are weighing up another move.
Moving to Germany, Record claim we have been in talks with German international Robin Koch.
The 6ft 4′ centre-back has impressed for Bundesliga side Freidburg and it’s said his versatility – he’s able to play at the back and as a holding midfielder – appeals to the club.
That said, I struggle to see us spending big money (he wouldn’t come cheap) on a centre-back given A) we’re well stocked in that area and B) we need to spend the majority of our limited budget on a
Finally, another one to take with a pinch of salt but yet another new name linked is Oxford captain Rob Dickie.
The Mirror report that the 24-year-old former England youth international is on our radar and could leave for £3m this summer, with him entering the final year of his current deal with the League One club.
He’s young and could be seen as a cut-price replacement for someone like Fabian Schar – who seems likely to leave – not that the signing of a third-tier centre half would get the pulses racing in what has been a excruciating summer so far.
Three ones to watch or three new links that will come to nothing? We shall see.
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