Newcastle United eye £30m captain of Premier League rivals as long-term target 'set to leave' Arsenal

Newcastle United strengthened their hopes of European football next season with a hard fought 1-0 win at Fulham on Saturday. Eddie Howe’s side defended resolutely at Craven Cottage before Bruno Guimaraes won it late with a slightly scruffy but effective effort past Bernd Leno.

Victory saw the Magpies climb into eighth and most importantly, pull to within a point of West Ham and four of Manchester United, with Europa League qualification still on the cards. It’s set to be a tense final few weeks of the campaign and in the meantime, NewcastleWorld has rounded up some of the latest stories to come out of St James’ Park.

Wolves’ Kilman eyed

Newcastle are among a number of Premier League clubs thought to be keeping an eye on Wolves captain Max Kilman ahead of the summer transfer window. HITC reports that they join Chelsea, Manchester United and Aston Villa in scouting the centre-back.

Central defence will be a key area of focus at Newcastle this summer amid long-term injury blows for the likes of Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles. Dan Burn partnered Fabian Schar on Saturday but any other fitness issues would present a major problem for Howe and there is an understanding that upgrades are needed.

Wolves have been vulnerable to player exits over the past couple of seasons as they fight to comply with profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), but hope to keep most of their top performers after a strong season under Gary O’Neil. They reportedly rejected a £30m bid from Napoli for Kilman last summer and so would demand significantly more.

Ramsdale future

Aaron Ramsdale is reportedly ‘set to leave’ Arsenal this summer in search of more regular football. Football Insider reports that the goalkeeper will move on amid concerns that his current role as back-up would present a risk to his place in the England squad.

Newcastle have been regularly linked with a move for Ramsdale and, as with most positions this season, have struggled fitness-wise with first-choice Nick Pope out since December with a shoulder injury. Martin Dubravka has deputised well but recently turned 35 and will enter the final 12 months of his contract in June.

The report adds that Newcastle would not be willing to go above £30m for Ramsdale, who joined Arsenal for £24m in 2021. Other Premier League clubs are said to be keen on the shot-stopper, although no other names are mentioned.