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There is one deal that seems straightforward for Newcastle United and Eddie Howe.
Newcastle United are expected to be active in the January transfer window and a defender appears to be high on the agenda for the Magpies.
Despite Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles making good progress in their return from serious knee injuries, United appear to be intent on strengthening their defensive ranks over the next two transfer windows. Had things been different, that aim would have already been achieved after Newcastle made three unsuccessful offers to complete the signing of Crystal Palace and England star Marc Guehi during the summer.
The former Chelsea man is far from the only player to have been linked with a move to Tyneside after Lens youngster Abdukodir Khusanov, Liverpool star Joe Gomez and AC Milan duo Malick Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori have all been suggested as possible targets.
Although much of the focus will understandably be on which players will be pursued as the Magpies hierarchy look to boost Eddie Howe’s squad, there is one deal that must be prioritised as one key member of the United ranks enters into the final six months of his current deal. Given the standard of performances he has shown over the last six years, it is easy to forget Fabian Schar cost just £3m when he joined Newcastle during Rafa Benitez’s managerial reign. Since then, he has become a firm fans’ favourite and seems happy to ensure he remains with the club for at least another season.
Speaking to Swiss outlet BlueSport earlier this month, he said: “I feel really comfortable at Newcastle, I’ve been playing for years and I have a coach who relies on me. Everything is right for me. I would love to stay. The club and the coach know what they have in me. Basically, things have always gone relatively quickly in recent years. The club wanted to keep me, I wanted to stay. That’s why it was never a big deal.”
Schar has always been a favourite of Magpies boss Howe - and his desire to work with the Swiss defender pre-dates his managerial reign at St. James’ Park after the centre-back reportedly came close to joining Bournemouth during Howe’s lengthy spell in charge of the Cherries. There was little surprise when the United manager opted to make Schar an integral part of his plans at Newcastle after he had endured a torrid start to the 2021/22 season by remaining as an unused substitute nine of United’s 12 Premier League fixtures under Steve Bruce and interim manager Graeme Jones.
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Since Howe’s appointment, no Newcastle player has featured more than Schar as the 86-times capped Switzerland international has made over 120 appearances over the last three-and-a-half seasons and the vast majority of those have come as a starter. Schar has also played a significant role in helping Newcastle move on from a difficult time under Bruce to establish themselves as genuine challengers for European places in recent seasons and, memorably, scored a stunning goal in the 4-1 win against Paris Saint-Germain on the night Champions League football returned to St. James’ Park after a two-decade absence.
In some ways, Schar personifies the rejuvenation in fortunes on Tyneside in recent seasons. Under Bruce, he was out-of-favour, despite United’s struggles to find form and there was talk of a move away from St. James’ Park. Now, he is an essential figure in Howe’s squad and there is a considerable argument to suggest the defender is actually Newcastle’s best pound-for-pound signing since Kevin Keegan secured a £700,000 deal for Charlton Athletic’s Rob Lee back in 1992. From the Magpies point of view, extending Schar’s six-year stay at St James Park for at least another year seems a no-brainer - and his manager has already indicated he is all for finding an agreement.
Newcastle United defender Fabian ScharNewcastle United defender Fabian Schar
Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar | Getty Images
Speaking last month, he told NewcastleWorld: “With Fabian, just speaking from my behalf, he’s been incredible for me, I have to say he has been absolutely sensational with some of the performances he’s delivered. He’s an integral part of what we’re doing. His use of the ball is well known, his technical qualities and defensively he’s been very strong for us. Yes, he’s an important player and we’d love to keep him.”
Both Schar and Howe are keen to ensure the defender remains on Tyneside - and that is why this is one deal the Magpies must prioritise in the new year.
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