Newcastle identify Bundesliga giant as bargain alternative to 'top target' - Report

Newcastle's search for a new centre-back appears to be stepping up as we move closer to the summer transfer window.

A £50m move for Dean Huijsen is thought to be out of reach after initial talks, while Marc Guehi's name as cropped up consistently after Newcastle's month-long bid to sign the Crystal Palace captain last August.

Whether we shop abroad or look closer to home, the club will almost certainly bring in a centre-back in the coming months, and a new name has been linked with a potential move this week.

Newcastle enter race for Bundesliga bargain

According to reports, Newcastle United have entered the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah.

The 6ft 5' German international will leave the Bundesliga giants on a free transfer at the end of the season after opting against a new deal, leaving a number of clubs in the mix to snap up what could be one of the bargains of the summer.

The Sun report that Newcastle are considering a move for the 29-year-old, claiming he is an alternative Paul Mitchell could pursue if Eddie Howe's 'top target' Marc Guehi does not sign arrive at St James' Park.

Chelsea are thought to be in the mix for Guehi, while a number of European giants have also been linked with Tah, who is attracting interest from Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid, with the latter tipped to make a move should Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso take over at the Bernabeu.

Reports in Germany have indicated that Tah is keen on a summer move to the Premier League, however, which could give us a slight advantage if we're up against some of Europe's elite.

Tah agents in contact?

Another update has emerged on Tah's future this week, with The Chronicle's Lee Ryder revealing today that the German defender has been offered Newcastle's way.

This leaves us to question whether the club are actually pursuing a deal or have simply been contacted by agents hoping to find a good deal for their client.

However, even if Tah wouldn't be that young centre-back Eddie Howe may prefer, he'd bring experience at the highest level, leadership and real value for money on a free transfer.

He's been linked in the past and a cut-price move could free up funds for us to spend big on a right winger, striker and goalkeeper, but I'd be surprised if we won this race, especially with a younger alternative more likely to be pursued as Fabian Schar's long-term replacement.