Despite three defeats in their last four league games, Newcastle United sit sixth in the Premier League and very much in contention to seal a return to the Champions League ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Recent away trips to Man City (4-0) and Liverpool (2-0) offered a sobering reminder of the squad’s limitations in certain areas.

Omar Marmoush ran rampant down the left flank and racked up a first-half hat-trick, giving Kieran Trippier a torrid time. The former England international, who will turn 35 in September, is looking more and more his age as of late.

Last night, Fabian Schar (33) and Dan Burn (32) never looked comfortable against a Liverpool attack that didn’t have to get out of second gear in a comfortable 2-0 win.

It’s becoming more and more evident that Newcastle need to sign a new right back to compete with Tino Livramento and a right-sided centre-back to  – the only question is, who?

Ola Aina

Age: 28

Club: Nottingham Forest

Nationality: Nigerian

After narrowly staving off relegation in their first two seasons back in the top-flight, Forest are on track to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, and one player who has proven vital is Ola Aina.

The Nigeria international has excelled as a right-sided wingback under Nuno Espirito Santo, offering blistering pace, stellar crossing and physical prowess. He always knows when to leave his line and step in to make a desperately needed intervention – no Forest player is completing more interceptions per game (1.2) than him – and with his contract set to expire on June 30, Newcastle could sign him on a free transfer this summer.

Vinícius Tobias

Age: 20

Club: Shakhtar Donetsk

 Nationality: Brazil

From Ilya Zabarnyi and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Artem Smolyakov, we’ve seen quite a few talented defenders emerge from the Ukrainian league, and the latest defensive prospect to make a name for himself is Vinicius Tobias.

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Tobias headed across the Atlantic Ocean and joined Shakhtar Donetsk in 2022. Immediately after, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would see Tobias depart and join Real Madrid on loan, where he spent the next two seasons with their B team.

Having failed to convince Carlo Ancelotti of his merits in the first team or convince Real Madrid of the need to sign him on a permanent deal, Tobias is back in Shakhtar and making his mark for the Miners. A technically gifted fullback, Tobias has the creativity and vision to make an impact in the final third, having grabbed an assist in three of his last four Ukraine Premier League matches.

Thomas Kristensen

Age: 23

Club: Udinese

Nationality: Denmark
Newcastle don’t just need a right back – they also need a center back who can provide a long-term option at the heart of defense in contrast to their veteran central halves like Fabian Schär (33), Dan Burn (32), and Emil Krafth (30).

As such, Thomas Kristensen may very well be their best bet. At 6’6”, Kristensen towers over the opposition and is capable of holding his own in physical battles and aerial duels, but his experience as a central midfielder from his adolescence has also resulted in him being a cultured figure who can advance the ball with his passing.

Although he’s mainly played as a center back, Kristensen has deputized at right back recently for Udinese in recent weeks and hasn’t looked out of place against some of Serie A’s most seasoned attackers. After impressing in the black and white stripes of Udinese, he could very well be set to be donning some other famous black and white strips in the near future.