Right-winger aside, it seems obvious that Newcastle’s other priority position to strengthen this summer is at centre-back, with a new right-sided option wanted by Eddie Howe.
Both Dan Burn and Lloyd Kelly are available to cover the injured Sven Botman down our left side , yet an injury to Fabian Schar would have us begin the new campaign in trouble with Jamaal Lascelles also recovering from ACL surgery.
It appears Malick Thiaw has established himself as the standout target, with no alternatives being significantly linked with the club in recent weeks. Although Thiaw seems a very exciting prospect in his own right, our current stagnation in the transfer market may have led us to miss out on the potentially ideal signing to fill the void.
Juventus and Spain youngster Dean Huijsen, who was regularly linked via the Italian media earlier in the window, is set to sign for Bournemouth, with Fabrizio Romano announce that a bargain €18m (£15m) fee has been agreed.
An outrageously good fee for such an exciting 19-year-old young prospect who established himself last season on loan at Roma. He was a regular starter during their surge up the table in the second half of the season under new manager Daniele De Rossi.
🚨🍒 Dean Huijsen to Bournemouth, here we go! Verbal agreement in place on €18m deal plus sell-on clause for Juventus.
Huijsen has agreed on long term deal at #AFCB with medical tests to follow.
↪️🇫🇷 Juventus plan to bid for Jean Clair Todibo as soon as Huijsen deal is signed. pic.twitter.com/xYrkJX257E
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 25, 2024
Huijsen quickly proved that he does not just offer potential, but the ability to start for a top club already. His standout quality to me, however, is his eery similarity to our Swiss Rolls Royce Fabian Schar.
Huijsen tends to play long balls and make forward runs unconventional of most centre-backs, and his unique attacking ability was best displayed by a stunning goal scored against Frosinone. Huijsen picks up the ball from deep, drives forward, and scores an absolute thunderbolt from range. Sound familiar?
Although Schar seems to be the only seemingly immortal member of the squad, spending little to no time on the treatment table despite playing like he has nine lives, at 32 and counting Schar will exceedingly struggle to play game in, game out. A younger player who Schar could help develop, especially one with such a similar style of play, sounds like the ideal signing to bring in.
The fanbase will of course be split on whether our current lack of activity is down to us being patient and calculated or irresponsible and inactive. This will of course reveal itself by the end of the window, but as a deal for €40m-rated Thiaw moves at a snails pace, it makes you wonder if we’ve missed a gem in Huijsen for half the price.
The lack of movement is because of the international tournaments over the summer.
Milan have been waiting for their CB target and once that’s done I’m pretty sure Thiaw will be done quckly.
Our internationals are back as I’m sure the majority will be now so expect the market to start moving now.
Btw Bournemouth seem to have gotten a good bargain there.
Porkpie(Quote)