Newcastle United ‘will return to the table’ as January transfer claim made

Newcastle United will ‘return to the table’ to try and sign a Premier League star that they missed out on in the summer, according to reports. The Toon Army are currently contending with a number of injury setbacks as they adapt to the hectic schedule of competing in domestic and European competitions.

One of their most notable injury doubts is central defender Sven Botman, who missed both of his side’s recent victories against Manchester City and Burnley. The Dutchman has formed a formidable partnership with Fabian Schar in recent months and the pair were near ever presents as Newcastle recorded the joint best defensive record in the league last season.

Newcastle’s lack of depth in central defence has quickly become a cause for concern among fans, including former fan favourite Shay Given, who admitted it was a position that they should have strengthened. Magpies boss Eddie Howe currently has Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummett as his backup defenders and the pair are both pushing for a start against PSG in the Champions League.

But Football Insider believe that it is only a matter of time before the Magpies turn their attention to a familiar target in Crystal Palace man Joachim Andersen. The Danish defender arrived in England in the summer of 2020 and was a shining light during his loan spell at Fulham as the Cottagers suffered relegation to the Championship.

Andersen’s form in defence prompted interest from Newcastle and Crystal Palace in 2021, but it was the Eagles who won the race to seal his signature in a £15m deal. The 27-year-old has been a stalwart in the Palace backline under the management of both Patrick Vieira and Roy Hodgson and he has been crucial to Palace’s stability in the top-flight. He has starred for his country and helped Denmark to the Euro 2020 semi-finals, despite the absence of Christian Eriksen.

Football Insider explains: “The Magpies have held a long-term interest in the centre back, 27, and submitted a late summer bid that was rejected by Palace. However, Newcastle remain keen to strengthen their defensive department in January and are willing to return to the table with an offer for Andersen’s signature. It is understood that Andersen remains one of Newcastle’s top targets for the January window.”