OPINION
Newcastle United need to be drawing up plans for the 2018/19 season and need to ensure that they make huge improvements to keep them competitive.
The Magpies managed a top-10 Premier League finish with limited resources and will definitely need a few extra bodies to cope with next year.
It will be key to strengthen in key areas of the park, which is why adding some more reinforcement at centre-back seems a smart move.
Jamaal Lascelles, Florian Lejeune and Ciaran Clark are the best three options in the heart of defence, and they could do with a fourth man to crank up the pressure.
One man that should crop up on their radar is 6ft 2in (source: Transfermarkt) defender Ivan Marcano, who will leave Porto this summer when his contract expires.
The classy centre-back has been a mainstay for the Portuguese giants this season by making 46 appearances across all competitions and managed an impressive return of seven goals.
His Champions League experience makes him an attractive player and his know-how would be very welcome at St James’ Park next season.
The 30-year-old Spaniard would be a brilliant piece of business to pick up on a free transfer, but they may have to ambush reported talks for him.
Sky Sports Italy correspondent Gianluigi Di Marzio reported on his personal website last week that Marcano is in “advanced talks” with Roma’s sporting director Monchi about a potential move to Serve A.
There has been no update since on Marcano’s future and Newcastle should try bring him in under the radar.
