---
title: "Newcastle: Centre-back additions a priority for Steve Bruce"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-centre-back-additions-a-priority-for-steve-bruce/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2021-05-18T16:40:23Z"
modified: "2021-05-18T16:40:23Z"
---

# Newcastle: Centre-back additions a priority for Steve Bruce

**Steve Bruce ‘definitely wants to strengthen the heart of his defence’ in the summer transfer window, according to [Chris Waugh](https://theathletic.com/realtime/VjG8Mhgm9j25?share=app_brief_share).**

### The lowdown

With Premier League survival secured, Newcastle have been able to start planning for next season.

Mike Ashley’s [‘desperation’](https://theathletic.com/2580633/?source=twitteruk) to leave the club means he’s likely to offer only a limited transfer budget, so the Magpies may have to be shrewd in their recruitment.

Two Newcastle centre-backs – Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez – are [out of contract](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/steve-bruce-issues-newcastle-united-contract-update-on-federico-fernandez-and-fabian-schar-3222343) come the end of the season, although Newcastle [have an option](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/steve-bruce-issues-newcastle-united-contract-update-on-federico-fernandez-and-fabian-schar-3222343) to extend Schar’s deal by a further year.

Bruce’s side have conceded 62 goals in their 36 league matches so far this season, [a](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/table)[s many as bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/table).

### The latest

Waugh was reacting to [a report by his colleague](https://theathletic.com/2591909/2021/05/17/ornstein-henderson-sancho-grealish-likely-to-make-southgate-squad-alexander-arnold-likely-casualty/?source=emp_shared_article) at The Athletic, Peter Rutzler, who revealed that Newcastle are interested in Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo.

The 23-year-old Englishman has made 31 league appearances for the relegated Cottagers this season and is valued at £9million by [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tosin-adarabioyo/profil/spieler/258878).

A centre-back is near the top of Bruce’s transfer window list, with Celtic’s [£3.6million-rated](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/profil/spieler/328658) Kristoffer Ajer also ‘looked at’.

### The verdict

It’s not difficult to understand the manager’s concerns. Newcastle’s defensive record is little alarming, two centre-backs are out of contract and [four of his senior options have turned or are about to turn 30](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/startseite/verein/762), while Ajer and Adarabioyo are good talents with their best years ahead of them.

Budget limitations might make Ajer, who has [only one year left on his contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/profil/spieler/328658), the more sensible target.

Adarabioyo’s deal runs until 2023 and even then Fulham have the option to extend it for a further year (via [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tosin-adarabioyo/profil/spieler/258878)).

**In other news, [Mike Ashley has identified a possible alternative to Bruce](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/newcastle-toon-magpies-sean-dyche-steve-bruce-premier-league-aston-villa-everton-crystal-palace/).**