Eddie Howe has made it no secret that he would like to improve the squad this month – but has stressed the importance of signing the right player.

Though he notably demands at least six centre midfield options to choose from, having plenty of centre back options is also very welcome.

However, with Dan Burn out until the end of January, Fabian Schar facing months the sidelines after ankle ligament damage, and Jamaal Lascelles not even fit to train, we’re left with only two fit options in Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman.

So it’s no surprise to hear that searching for a new centre back option has shot up in priority for the ongoing January transfer window, but what does that mean for the rest of the squad and our planned transfer activity?

Newcastle step up centre-back hunt

According to Craig Hope, Newcastle are now “actively” pursuing the signing of a right-sided centre-back, bringing forward summer plans following an injury that could keep Fabian Schar out until April.

Speaking on his Youtube channel, Hope revealed that whilst the club are looking to sign someone now and ‘accelerate summer business’, they are likely to pursue a centre-back aged 19-24 who can play now and develop in the years to come, rather than an older quick fix:

“Now what they don’t want to do is lumber themselves with a bad player. To make a panic signing who comes in on a permanent then is there for three, four, five years. Those were Eddie Howe’s exact words this (Monday) morning.

“But at the same time, to safeguard against the here and now for me, they’ve got to bring somebody in. And my information is that they’re now actively looking for a right-sided centre-half in terms of that permanent signing.

“Someone that would accelerate summer business, to bring in that profile of player perhaps between the age of 19-24 for what probably wouldn’t be an insignificant sum, who could come in as a player to play now but also someone who they would look at as a player for down the line as well.”

“So, a right-sided centre-half. That’s my information…”

Who we target is anyone’s guess, although we have been tracking Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez for some time, scouting a number of Brazilian talents and have a long-standing interest in Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini.

Right side set for change?

Signing a new right-sided centre-back would be just the latest development in what could be a complete overhaul of the right hand side of the defence in 2026.

Each of Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles are all out of contract this summer, and there’s uncertainty surrounding the future of Fabian Schar now he’s endured his latest injury, with his deal also up at the end of the season.

Even Tino Livramento’s future isn’t 100% guaranteed, amidst reports of intense interest from Manchester City and no news of a contract breakthrough despite talks with Ross Wilson.

The pairing of Malick Thiaw and makeshift right-back Lewis Miley are perhaps the only two guarantees for the right side of our defence moving forward.

The potential upheaval in that part of the pitch does add credibility to the reports linking us to Spanish defender Oscar Mingueza: a versatile option who is adept at both centre-back and full-back, he is reportedly available for just £8m from Celta Vigo this window, as the La Liga club push for a sale before his contract expires.