Newcastle United turn their attention to former Chelsea star with five England caps after failed Guehi effort

Newcastle United are reportedly lining up an offer for Champions League semi-finalist Fikayo Tomori. The Magpies are keen to bolster their defensive options this season, following long-term injuries to both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles.

Newcastle currently have Fabian Schar and Dan Burn as their first choice pairing at centre back, with both Lloyd Kelly and Emil Krafth providing cover from the subs bench. However, three of those four defenders are over the age of 30 and approaching the twilight years of their careers. 

Eddie Howe is keen to add a younger player to this area of the pitch that can lead the defence for years to come after a leaky season last term which saw the club concede 62 times in 38 games. This was highlighted in the summer by Newcastle failed pursuit of highly-rated Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

The 23-year-old, who helped guide England to a first ever European Championship final on foreign soil, was the subject of three failed bids in the summer, according to Sky Sports, with Crystal Palace chairman claiming that Newcastle would need to pay ‘superstar money’ to prise Guehi away from Selhurst Park.

Milan Live (Via FootballFancast) claims Newcastle are pursuing alternative options after difficulties negotiating with Crystal Palace and understands that fellow England defender Fikayo Tomori could be a key target. The five- ime England international, like Guehi, is a product of the Chelsea academy and the pair alongside Nathaniel Chalobah all progressed from the academy at a similar time.

Guehi never appeared for Chelsea in the Premier League, but Tomori who enjoyed a productive loan spell at Derby County, became a solid squad player at Stamford Bridge during Frank Lampard’s tenure. Tomori joined AC Milan on an initial loan move, which was eventually made permanent in the summer of 2021 for £25m. In his first full season in Italy he lifted the Scudetto, with a club-record points tally of 86 while also making the Team of the Season.

In the following campaign, he helped the team reach the Champions League semi-final for the first time since 2007 and in the 2023/24 campaign he was twice able to produce impressive performances against Newcastle in the Champions League group stage.

Italian outlet CalcioMercato reports that Tomori has a point to prove in English football and claims he could be available for as little as £33m, which is less than half the amount Crystal Palace were demanding for Guehi.

Tomori is blessed with excellent pace, leadership and in more recent times a good eye for goal after scoring four goals in 26 appearances last term. He has played in eight of his side’s opening nine games this season across all competitions.