Your latest 4am Newcastle United transfer digest.
Centre-back targets
Eddie Howe has stressed he is hopeful Newcastle United will be able to bring in one further senior addition to the squad before the September 1 deadline. Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali have already arrived, with the Magpies said to be looking at a centre-back to compete with and eventually succeed Fabian Schar.
Now, the Daily Mail report that there are six names under consideration, with Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen the only one currently based in the Premier League. The defenders who have garnered most attention from the Toon Army is Benfica's rising star Antonio Silva and Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba.
Odilon Kossounou, Perr Schurrs, Jean-Clair Todibo round out the list, with no advanced moves at this stage for the contenders. As it stands, Paul Dummett and Jamaal Lascelles are the squad options at the heart of defence, while Dan Burn could also be shifted back to his natural position.
READ MORE: Eddie Howe wants one more Newcastle United transfer to cap off 'ideal' summer
Zaniolo twist
Recent reports in Turkish media had named Newcastle as the 'favourites' to sign Galatasaray attacker Nicolo Zaniolo. However, Aston Villa have now emerged as the likely destination for the Italy international and Unai Emery confirmed the 24-year-old is on the club's shortlist.
Emery told our sister title Birmingham Live: "We are trying to have possibilities with different players and which players could help us. There could be one or more with the potential to come here. But now it is not 100 per cent clear who they are."
"Zaniolo is not a striker. He is versatile. He can play as a striker, a number seven or a number 10 and he is one of those on our list, with the qualities he has, to help us. He is one on the list and there are others."
The 2023/24 Newcastle United Home kit stands as a celebration of the club's iconic history. The Castore kit pays homage to the clubs unbreakable bond between its fans and, as always, features the legendary black and white stripes.
Prices start from £55
CastoreLIVE Q&A with Former NUFC owner Sir John Hall
The award-winning Newcastle United show - The Everything is Black and White Podcast will be once again coming to you live!
On Wednesday, August 30th, our panel will be at the Tyneside Irish Centre to talk all things Newcastle United alongside the club's former owner Sir John Hall.
We're also excited to welcome The Times' Henry Winter to the panel alongside BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck, and our usual panel of Lee Ryder, Ciaran Kelly and Aaron Stokes.
It's the perfect time to chat about United with the Champions League draw taking place a day later and the transfer window closing on the 1st of September.
The Premier League season will be well under way too - so hopefully we're talking about an unbeaten start to the campaign!
You can buy your tickets via Eventbrite by clicking here. A donation will be made to The NUFC Fans' Foodbank and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
