Back in the summer, Eddie Howe stressed the importance of squad depth ahead of our return to the Champions League.

But even the manager couldn’t have anticipated that our campaign would endure yet another freak injury spell, with big defenders like Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento all spending significant time on the sidelines.

It’s more than enough justification for us to bring in defensive reinforcements in the January window, particularly as we remain in all four major competitions.

And there’s been further developments in a report from late last year that linked us to an in-demand defender from the continent, who seems set to move to the Premier League as things stand.

Toon offered bargain deal for defender

According to The Mail, Newcastle have been offered the chance to sign versatile Spanish international defender Oscar Mingueza, but face strong competition for his signature.

The 26-year-old La Masia graduate is set to depart Celta Vigo come the end of the season, with the club looking to offload him this window to try and make some money before he leaves on a free.

We were previously linked with the defender back in November, but it looks like we aren’t the only interested party with both Aston Villa and West Ham in the mix.

Celta Vigo are pushing for around £8m this window, which could be one of the bargains of the window considering how versatile an option he would be, given how he can play at right back, centre back, and even further up in the pitch in right midfield.

Defensive depth now surely top priority?

Just when it looked like Newcastle’s defensive woes had eased, Wednesday night’s game against Leeds United gave Howe another headache.

Fabian Schar forcibly stretchered off the pitch has left us with just two fit senior centre backs: Malick Thiaw, and Sven Botman who himself has just returned from injury.

And with just how many games we have in January and the months beyond, an affordable and versatile player like Mingueza may appeal, with the Spaniard able to play down either flank.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Howe and sporting director Ross Wilson temporarily pivot their focus in the transfer market away from the young midfielders we’ve been linked with for weeks, and quickly prioritise bringing in a defender, or maybe multiple, in as soon as possible.