Newcastle have beaten Arsenal to Bruno Guimaraes - now they MUST sign a defender
James Shearman
- 26 Jan 2022 14:20 CST
- 3 min read
Newcastle's new ownership have wasted no time in trying to buy the club's way out of the Premier League relegation places.
Already this month, the Magpies have signed Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid, Chris Wood from relegation rivals Burnley, while they are set to beat Arsenal to Bruno Guimaraes of Lyon.
Al three signings should boost Newcastle's chances of survival, but there is a position of need that could all but guarantee another campaign in England's top flight.
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The Saudi-owned outfit have conceded 43 league goals this season, more than three times that of leaders Manchester City.
And, even though Trippier is listed as a defender, his best attributes are going forward, meaning the north east club are yet to address their defensive woes.
So, to complete what would be a fantastic first transfer window under the new regime, Newcastle should go all out for a top-class centre-back.
Newcastle to sign a centre-back?
Newcastle's current crop of central defenders consist of Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez.
As a result, it comes as no surprise that only Norwich have conceded more goals in the Premier League this season.
Moreover, if those four players were to be placed upon the transfer list, it would be Championship clubs looking to take them on.
Hence, that is the division Newcastle will be playing in next season if the problem isn't solved before the deadline.
Sources close to Sevilla assure that position won't change: Diego Carlos is not for sale and will stay, the decision was made yesterday and communicated to Newcastle. 🚫🇧🇷 #Sevilla
Newcastle now exploring other options - same for Jesse Lingard deal.https://t.co/D9YY8HhhSy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 26, 2022
Indeed, the Magpies had shown an interest in Sevilla defender Diego Carlos.
The Brazilian, at 28 years of age, would be the perfect candidate to revolutionise Eddie Howe's defence in a similar manner to Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool - albeit at a lower level.
However, talks have since broken down with the La Liga club, and attentions have turned to Fenerbahce's Attila Szalai, according to the Newcastle Chronicle.
The Hungarian had been linked with a move to Chelsea earlier this month, as a potential replacement for Andreas Christensen.
