Newcastle United’s defensive plans could soon accelerate, with Eddie Howe reportedly returning to a long-standing target as AC Milan prepares to sell.
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Milan is open to letting Fikayo Tomori leave this summer, with Newcastle expected to lead the race for the England center back.
“Tomori I’m sure is somebody who would figure on his wanted list,” O’Rourke said on Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast.
The 28-year-old has only 11 months remaining on his
Milan contract, which expires in June 2027. That has left the Italian club willing to cash in rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.
Tomori has been linked with Newcastle before but always remained at San Siro, including last year when he made 37 appearances across all competitions during the 2025-26 season.
O’Rourke expects Newcastle to face competition for the England international if Milan formally starts to field offers.
“I think there’ll be a number of clubs, Premier League sides, probably other European sides too, that would be interested in Tomori,” O’Rourke said.
All things considered, Newcastle’s interest makes sense given the age of Howe’s best central defenders and the uncertainty surrounding the back line’s depth.
Tomori would offer Premier League experience from his early career days (he spent time at Chelsea, Brighton, Hull, and Derby County), along with playing five years of regular action in Italy’s Serie A since permanently joining Milan in 2021.
However, O’Rourke warned that the situation could drag into the late days of the transfer window, with several clubs monitoring the defender and Milan pondering all their options before making a final decision.
After focusing on adding younger players early in the summer, Tomori would provide something different to Newcastle as an experienced defender capable of immediately strengthening Howe’s XI for the upcoming season and beyond, as he’s still 28 years old.
