Newcastle United have identified two possible candidates to replace Sven Botman following the news he could be out for the next nine months.
Botman suffered an ACL injury, the same kind of injury he suffered back in September, and will now require surgery that could keep him out of the team until 2025.
Newcastle were already preparing to add defensive reinforcements this summer, but a report from Sports Lens suggests they have ramped up the search with and Ousmane Diomande shortlisted as an option as well as Giorgio Scalvini.
Newcastle target Sporting star as Botman replacement
Diomande is someone who has been on Newcastle’s radar for a while now, but they may now have taken a keener interest in the defender who has been impressing for Sporting Lisbon this season.
The ‘very talented‘ 20-year-old has played a key role at the heart of Sporting’s defence as they lead the league by just one point, but he was also called up to the Ivory Coast side as the won the African Cup of Nations earlier in the year.
At such a young age, Diomande would already bring a wealth of European experience having competed in the Europa League in the last two years, something Newcastle may need should they finish in the top seven in the Premier League.
Sadly for the Geordies, Diomande is not going to come cheap with Chelsea rumoured to be willing to pay £68m, so Newcastle will really have to stump up the cash if they are serious about finding a top replacement for Botman.
Newcastle eyeing another ‘outstanding’ prospect this summer
Scalvini has already received a lot of praise having been crowned the best young player in Italy last season, and clubs are starting to take notice of his work across in Europe.
Newcastle sent scouts to watch the defender just last month ahead of a possible move as they were already looking to upgrade on the likes of Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles.
Scalvini has previously been described as an ‘outstanding‘ talent at just 20-years-old and has already worked his way into the Italian national team with a very bright future ahead of him.
Like Schar, his ability to drive with the ball and often looking for a way to get the ball forwards makes him ideal for Eddie Howe in his search to replace Botman, and Newcastle now have some big decision to make this summer.
The post Report: Newcastle now looking to sign ‘very talented’ £68m defender to replace Sven Botman this summer appeared first on Geordie Boot Boys.