OPINION
Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez is attempting to make the most of a bad situation as he continues to scour the transfer market for affordable deals amid stalling contract talks with the club.
One position which he is obviously attempting to strengthen is at centre-back, with several players linked with the Magpies in recent days.
One new name that has now been added to the mix is Deportivo La Coruna defender Fabian Schar, with the Chronicle reporting that the Toon have enquired about the 26-year-old Switzerland international.
It is said that Schar is seeking a summer exit from Deportivo after just one season at the club following their relegation from La Liga, and has a £3million release clause.
Considering that the previously linked names have been the likes of Swansea defender Federico Fernandez, this is a massive step up in target for the Magpies, and such a capture would make them formidable next season.
Schar is a quality centre-back who is strong in the air and in the tackle, with his no-nonsense defending complemented by decent skills on the ball.
The Swiss international enforcer needs to improve his passing ability, but his addition in the centre of defence would see Newcastle possess a seriously strong core next season.
Jamaal Lascelles and Florian Lejeune showed their quality last term, both individually and as a collective, and adding Schar into the mix would give Newcastle three seriously good options in that position.
A strong defence is a brilliant basis for Premier League success, as illustrated perfectly by Newcastle’s tenth-placed finish last season which saw them possess the seventh-best defensive record in the league.
The Magpies will need to strengthen up front if they want to climb the table next term, but Schar’s capture would be a brilliant foundation for a spree of summer activity, and they must now move quickly to make that a reality.
