The summer transfer window is in full swing and Newcastle United are making moves. Eddie Howe's midfield has been strengthened, additional left-back cover is desired and more attacking firepower wouldn't be the worst investment in the world. But just how pressing is the need for a new centre-back?
No one can deny the immense partnership formed between Newcastle veteran Fabian Schar and new boy Sven Botman over the last 12 months. The duo, flanked by Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn and protected by Nick Pope, helped Newcastle boast the joint-meanest defence in the top flight last term on the way to securing European football.
Botman's ability was never in doubt but for Schar it has been a bumpy and uncomfortable road to get to this point. The Swiss defender once looked down and out in black and white.
READ MORE: Eddie Howe's role in Harvey Barnes transfer with Newcastle boss set to receive pre-season boost
JOIN NOW: Get transfer news to your phone with the Newcastle United WhatsApp community
Pummelled down the pecking order behind the likes of Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez under Steve Bruce's tenure, Schar almost left the north east on multiple occasions. Howe even tried to poach the centre-back for his Bournemouth side.
Fast forward two years and it is all change for the former Basel defender. "For me it was the best and most beautiful season of my entire career. I have never felt more comfortable in a place than in Newcastle," he recounted recently.
While Schar was one of the first names on the teamsheet last season and would be a welcomed addition to Howe's XI once again when the new season rolls around, the veteran defender isn't getting any younger and turns 32 later this year.
Botman, 23, was brought in last summer for his ability, of course, but also because of his age and the belief that Newcastle may have found a centre-back for the next decade. Schar, who has proved he is no slouch in his thirties, doesn't have that time on his side.
But replacing Botman's current partner will be desperately difficult. Schar possesses an incredible ball-playing ability, a fearless determination to put his body on the line at every turn and a daring attitude when it comes to trying to get on the scoresheet.
Schar took a whopping 56 shots on goal last season, 16 more than Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold who ranked second on the list for defenders. The Newcastle man has been no stranger to finding the net from range over the years and stunned Nottingham Forest with a sublime effort on the opening day 11 months ago.
Schar's passing range was on display throughout the campaign but two assists, both for Joelinton, in 2023 show him at his brilliant best. The Brazilian latched on to a pair of looping Schar passes over the top against West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur towards the business end of the campaign before finding the net.
For this reason, it's clear to see why Newcastle have been linked with Crystal Palace duo Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi, the Eagles' regular centre-back partnership last term.
Andersen in particular looks like he would suit this Newcastle side given his penchant for eye-catching passes. The Danish international has a marginally better pass completion rate than Schar, beating him 79 per cent to 78 per cent in Premier League games last term.
In the 2018–19 season, while Andersen was at Sampdoria, Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic was the only Serie A player with more accurate long passes than the 27-year-old.
Andersen's partner Guehi boasts similar statistics when it comes to playing out from back. The Chelsea academy graduate attempted over 2,200 passes last season, ranking him eighth in the Premier League.
Guehi featured in 37 of Palace's 38 league games, playing 3,329 minutes of top flight football. Despite being right-footed, the 22-year-old played on the left of the centre-back pairing with ease.
Howe isn't against playing two left-footed centre-backs together but would ideally prefer a right-footed arrival before the end of the summer. That may rule out an audacious move for Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio in the near future.
The left-footed youngster, 21, has made over 100 appearances for the Lisbon club, scoring 11 times and has caught the eye of Europe's best in recent months. Liverpool hold a keen interest but Newcastle have also kept a keen eye on the Portuguese defender.
Sporting’s famed Alcochete academy has clearly produced another top prospect. Praised at length for his ability to break the lines with his passing from the back, Inacio is one of the hottest prospect in world football at present.
Axel Disasi, who currently plies his trade for Monaco, is another centre-back linked with Newcastle in recent weeks. The 25-year-old played in every Ligue 1 game last season and accumulated 3,330 minutes of playing time.
Disasi is incredibly strong in the air and won, on average, 2.8 aerial duels won per game last season, which was the highest of any member of the Monaco squad. Disasi, who is 6 feet 3 inches tall, could add yet more height to an already gigantic backline under Howe.
Each of the potential transfer options mentioned would take up a significant chunk of Howe's current budget in the short-term. Guehi, for example, given his pedigree, England exploits and importance to Roy Hodgson's Palace team would likely come close to a club-record fee for the Magpies.
Inacio also won't leave Portugal on the cheap, while Disasi would likely cost around what Newcastle paid for Botman 12 months ago. Meanwhile, Newcastle still have options within their current squad.
Burn can quite easily step back in to the centre despite his excellent form at left-back of late. Jamaal Lascelles also remains on Tyneside for the moment and may provide much-needed cover for another season.
Sporting director Dan Ashworth has also strengthened the club's youth system with the additions of defensive duo Charlie McArthur and Alex Murphy who could one day reach the first-team. Kell Watts is also back working with Howe after a loan spell at Peterborough.
All in all, it depends how much Howe feels he really needs an upgrade in the centre of his defence this summer. Schar and Botman's record speaks for itself and with other positions taking priority at present, the former's successor may not arrive in this particular window. Newcastle fans are unlikely to take issue if that is to be the case.
