Newcastle United has suffered injury after injury this season, but Eddie Howe must believe that his defenders are cursed.
The Magpies had one of the toughest defenses around last year, but that same tenacity hasn’t been present this season.
However, injuries have played a significant role, with two Newcastle centre backs lately suffering catastrophic injuries.
Both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles have torn their ACLs and will be out for several months.
Fabian Schar has started every Premier League game this season, despite suffering an arm injury in February.
Newcastle may need to sign another defender this summer due to Botman and Lascelles’ long-term ailments.
It’s uncertain how much Newcastle can pay, but two free agents are now sought at St James Park.
Newcastle United want Tosin Adarabioyo
According to iNews, Newcastle are interested in signing Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo.
The former Manchester City player is out of contract this summer and has given no indication that he would sign a new agreement.
Newcastle are now interested in Adarabioyo, no doubt due to his status as a free agent.
That might help Newcastle meet the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, but free agents typically seek greater salary and signing-on fees.
‘Free transfers’ aren’t truly free, something Newcastle will be mindful of as they compete for the massive centre back’s services.
Adarabioyo, described as a’special talent’ by Fulham manager Marco Silva, has matured into a reliable Premier League defender.
Adarabioyo is tall, athletic, relatively cheap, and still has a lot of potential at 26, so Newcastle will not be alone in the race.
Who else wants Adarabioyo?
Tottenham Hotspur have long been associated with Adarabioyo, and they looked into him last summer.
Adarabioyo was linked with a move to Tottenham in December, and the club is still interested.
Liverpool is now interested in Adarabioyo and is considering a move for him, maybe as a long-term replacement for Joel Matip.
TEAMtalk adds that West Ham United is offered Adarabioyo a lucrative deal in the hopes that he will choose to transfer to East London.
As Adarabioyo’s contract expires, the race for his services becomes increasingly competitive, and Newcastle must now decide whether to make their own move.
