Fresh claims Newcastle United will ‘empty the clip’ for £68m Fabian Schar replacement

Newcastle United continue to be linked with a summer raid for Sporting Lisbon sensation Ousmane Diomande. 

Reports last week claimed the Magpies were watching him as plans for their summer rebuild ramp up. Centre-back will be a top priority for Toon chiefs as Fabian Schar and Dan Burn remain the only first-team options available. 

Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are ruled out until the back end of the year with ACL injuries. That has propelled a defender up the wish list, with Diomande a potential option.

FootballFanCast claim the 20-year-old, who only arrived in Lisbon last summer, is being watched by Newcastle. A slick, ball-playing defender, the Ivorian international would be considered a long-term partner for Botman.

Schar, 33, and Burn, 32 next week, are no spring chickens and the Magpies lack pace in their backline. Sporting paid £6million for Diomande a year ago and his release clause stands at £68million. 

Newcastle bosses would want to negotiate that figure as FFP/PSR measures continue to handicap the club. Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked with Diomande as he closes in on the Portuguese title.

The report names Crystal Palace stalwart Marc Guehi as another option, with speculation circulating regarding his future. As an England international, however, he would not come cheap, with a reported £60million price tag slapped on the former Chelsea youngster.

Bournemouth utility man Lloyd Kelly offers a cheaper solution to Newcastle's defensive crisis. The 25-year-old, signed by Eddie Howe at the Cherries, is out of contract in the summer, meaning the Magpies would not need to empty their transfer clip.