Newcastle United have lodged a number of loan enquiries for defenders at top-eight Premier League sides, according to The Athletic.
What’s the latest Newcastle United transfer news?
Strengthening in central defence was said to have been a priority for Steve Bruce as far back as May but, clearly, nothing has happened on that front. Having missed out on top target Kristoffer Ajer and then Axel Tuanzebe, the defensive line looks a problem for the Newcastle boss.
Indeed, his side conceded four goals at home during the opening day loss to West Ham United and, although the likes of Jamal Lascelles and Fabian Schar could come back into the team for the trip to Aston Villa next weekend, neither would appear to answer the glaring issue at the back.
Why do Newcastle need a new defender?
The lack of pace is a big problem.
Previously, Bruce’s options at the back have been described as ‘a much of a muchness’ with the players on offer largely boasting similar qualities. Potentially able to offer something in a low-block, the fact Newcastle look to be trying to play in a more expansive way this season naturally opens the game, highlighting the lack of speed when caught in transition.
Lascelles and Schar may be an improvement on the likes of Ciaran Clark and Emil Krafth but they simply cannot bring an injection of pace into the defence.
Who have Newcastle been linked with?
Tottenham Hotspur’s Cameron Carter-Vickers has been touted as a target having previously worked with Graeme Jones at both Luton and Bournemouth while Arsenal’s Rob Holding is another name to have been linked.
Whether or not either of those players are capable of adding some much-needed speed to the Newcastle defence remains to be seen but, what is clear, is the fact that new players must be brought in or the efforts of Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson in attack are likely to be undermined.
