Newcastle ‘change objective’ as they eye ‘affordable’ €15m defender

Lewis Oldham
Newcastle linked Marcao

Newcastle United have ‘changed their objective’ as they are targeting Galatasaray defender Marcao as an ‘affordable’ €15m alternative to Diego Carlos, according to reports.

The Magpies have signed two players this month as they have brought in Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood.

Newcastle are desperate to sign a new centre-back before the transfer window shuts on Monday. They have been heavily linked with Sevilla star Carlos.


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This transfer has now fallen through and Carlos is “quite happy” to be staying at Sevilla.

TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sport Witness) are reporting that Newcastle have opted to ‘change their objective’.

They are now targeting Galatasaray centre-back Marcao. He is valued at €15m and he is seen as an ‘affordable’ alternative to Carlos.

The 25-year-old has been at Galatasaray since 2019. They paid an initial fee of  €4m to sign him and he has played 126 times across all competitions.

Newcastle are also said to be interested in Jesse Lingard. Stuart Pearce believes the midfielder would be a “commodity” for several Premier League teams:

“Jesse is a commodity that is not playing for his football club that would be a benefit to a lot of clubs in the Premier League, that would be my personal opinion,” Pearce said (as cited by The Metro).

“Our [club] is certainly one of them, there is no doubt.

“Everyone is aware that we tried to get Jesse back again last summer and that will continue probably in this window as well but that is down to Jesse.

“Jesse has six months of his contract left, he will decide and Manchester Untied more importantly will decide what his future is for the next six months.”

Pearce went onto suggest that it is a “real shame” that Lingard has not been playing consistently:

“I always feel it is a real shame when a player of that talent is probably not playing regularly.

“Especially his contribution when he came and joined us and had a wonderful six months and got himself back in the England fold as well, so it has helped Gareth Southgate as well.

“Listen, I will be delighted if he goes and plays, wherever he goes and plays. If he turns up at West Ham over the next four days it will be utopia.

“If he goes and plays anywhere else in the Premier League I will still be pleased back seeing him play again.”