Newcastle United’s squad rebuild has glaring gaps to fix, and the lack of depth on both sides of Eddie Howe’s defense has become increasingly difficult to ignore.
With Kieran Trippier gone and Tino Livramento unlikely to feature for much of preseason because of a calf injury, The Athletic’s Chris Waugh reported on July 14 that Newcastle now views signing at least one full-back as a priority.
“Signing at least one full-back is a priority and how many is more to do with the profile of full-back they
sign and the resources available,” Waugh wrote.
Lewis Hall is the established option on the left and the expected starter in next season’s XI, but Livramento’s injury has left Newcastle without a dependable senior right-back for the start of preseason.
Newcastle is considering several different players rather than limiting its search to one specific position or player profile for now. As things stand, the club has explored potential market opportunities involving left-backs, right-backs, and players capable of covering both sides.
“Should a player who can adequately play on both sides be acquired, then that may lessen the need to sign multiple,” Waugh reported.
That versatility could be especially valuable given the current imbalance in Howe’s squad and the gaffer’s preference for versatile players. Waugh added that Newcastle has examined a wide range of markets, including experienced European players under contract, free agents, and younger targets that would match the club’s new recruitment strategy.
“Free agents and more experienced players from Europe, down to those more closely aligned with the profile of signings this summer, under the age of 22, have been considered,” Waugh wrote.
Although Newcastle’s need for the right-back position is clearly urgent, Waugh stressed that the Magpies won’t make a rushed short-term addition simply to fill the roster.
