Supporters have had to be patient with Newcastle’s transfer strategy, with the club seeming intent on pursuing long-term targets – albeit with mixed success so far.
Names like Joao Pedro, James Trafford, and Marc Guehi have all been on the radar for multiple windows, although the latter now seems destined to sign elsewhere.
Now that we have regained our Champions League status – something we weren’t in a position to offer last summer – a familiar name may be back on our radar.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba may be one to watch in Newcastle’s ongoing pursuit of a centre-back
Last summer, as our attempts to sign Marc Guehi continued to stutter, David Ornstein revealed that Newcastle were in talks with Leverkusen over a potential deal for the 26-year-old.
Less than 12 months on, Guehi could be on his way to Liverpool, leaving Newcastle in need of a potential plan B, especially now Illia Zabarnyi looks out of reach and destined for Champions League.
With that in mind and Newcastle’s fondness for a long-term target, it would be no surprise if we turned back to Tapsoba, who could be easier to attract this summer following Xabi Alonso’s exit and the £35m arrival of Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah.
Speaking on his Transfer Daily YouTube channel this week, BBC Sport reporter Harry De Cosemo has also been talking up a potential move for the Burkina Faso star.
“(Newcastle) made a play for Tapsoba (last summer),” said De Cosemo. “They had initial talks with Bayer Leverkusen, but they didn’t go very far. Maybe they’ll look at that again.
“The chances of them signing him are definitely stronger this year than they were last year, obviously coming off the back of (Leverkusen’s) incredible season (in 2023/24).
“Winning the Bundesliga, getting to the Europa League final and winning the German Cup, losing no games domestically and getting into the Champions League when Newcastle had no European football – there was very little reason for Tapsoba to leave at that point (last summer).
“Whereas now there is a bit of a crossroads with Leverkusen, in Newcastle having Champions League football, and they can really sell that project to him and see what happens because he’s very, very highly-rated and he’s been linked with a number of Premier League clubs in the past.”
Newcastle may receive a double setback as they seek to improve their options at centre-back with Sven Botman struggling with injuries over the last two seasons and both Dan Burn and Fabian Schar over 30 years of age.
There is a potential domino effect arising should Crystal Palace complete the signing of Ousmane Diomande, with BBC Sport reporting that Liverpool are looking to pounce on Marc Guehi – whose contract expires next summer.
Jarell Quansah being set to leave the Reds has freed up funds to bring Guehi into the backline, with Diomande a readymade fit for the back four at Selhurst Park. Arne Slot’s side do, however, seem open to waiting for Guehi’s contract to expire, though that could still spoil our hopes of landing the 24-year-old if he too is happy to wait.