Newcastle United insiders get green light for shopping spree ahead of 'busy' summer

Newcastle United's search for a new centre-back appears to be in full swing as the countdown to the summer transfer window ticks down.

Chronicle Live understands that scouts have been scouring Europe and the Premier League to nail down targets ahead of what is expected to be a "busy" window according insiders. The urgency levels on recruitment have been notched up in the last month after three return of European football was rubber-stamped and concerns over squad depth were noted.

The summer window will also swing open early this year with an extra trading period between June 1 and June 10 meaning the Magpies may look to capitalise on the situation. Head coach Eddie Howe has always stated his willingness to get deals done early in order to bed stars into his squad in good time for pre-season.

The Magpies are aiming to strengthen competition across the board at Benton, but a centre-back is high on the priority list. Sources at Crystal Palace expect Newcastle to return with interest for Marc Guehi this summer but any bid would be revised given the England man is heading into the final year of his contract and could even leave for free in 2026.

Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande is another star that head of recruitment Steve Nickson has looked at carefully. Diomande has a release clause of £68m but Sporting could accept a lower bid. Newcastle were heavily linked with Malick Thiaw of AC Milan last summer too and the German defender is another name believed to be put to United this year.

Thiaw, 23, is a player Newcastle have looked at closely before and fits the profile Howe is looking for. Despite handing Fabian Schar a new deal and seeing Dan Burn enjoy the season of his life, Newcastle want more depth to their defensive ranks. Sven Botman is back from injury but Jamaal Lascelles may not kick a ball this term despite signing a new contract for next season.

Emil Krafth has provided cover across the back four this term but United have only been an injury or two away from a full-blown crisis at the back with Lewis Hall missing the latter part of the campaign. The stamina of Schar and Burn have essentially got Howe's men through the season.

But Howe and his backroom also have an eye on the future and know that competition for places is healthy going into a new season. Sporting director Paul Mitchell has had assurances that there is money to spend but with PSR rules still lingering in the background, Howe will have to cut his cloth accordingly. A right-sided winger, a back-up goalkeeper and a younger striker are all being looked at.

On PSR and spending limits, Howe said earlier this month: "I think we're in a better position regarding PSR and that's the key thing. We knew from the outset that last summer was going to be very difficult - and it turned out to be that way. Hopefully this summer has a totally different view."