Newcastle 'begin talks' with former Chelsea defender as Eddie Howe continues to bolster Magpies’ back line: report

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Newcastle are in talks with a former Chelsea player and a Serie A winner over a possible return to the Premier League

Eddie Howe smiles as Newcastle head coach
Eddie Howe has started Newcastle's transfer business early (Image credit: Getty Images)

Newcastle United have began discussions with Fikayo Tomori’s representatives over a possible move, a new report has disclosed. 

The Magpies are looking to bolster their defence following the long–tern absences of Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, who may not be back in action until next year.

Now a report from Football Insider states that officials at St James’ Park are eager to gauge the England international’s interest in returning to the Premier League for the upcoming season.

Fikayo Tomori celebrates as an AC Milan player

Fikayo Tomori is a regular starter for AC Milan (Image credit: Getty Images)

Tomori has spent the last three years at AC Milan, having transferred from Chelsea in 2021 for £25 million, while his contract with the Italian club ends in 2027.

Newcastle will finalise their deal for Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth once the versatile defender’s contract expires at the end of this month, but will still look to sign another centre-back to strengthen their squad - with the 26-year-old Tomori believed to be a perfect suit.

Tomori has been a regular starter for AC Milan, securing regular first-team action since his move. He played a key role in their Serie A win in the 2021-22 season and has made 142 appearances for the club overall. Last season, he featured in 32 out of 35 matches and even played the full 90 minutes in both of Milan’s Champions League fixtures against Newcastle.

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Despite starting in an England friendly against Australia last October, Tomori was not selected by Gareth Southgate for this summer’s Euro 2024.

It’s not the first time that the player has been linked with a move back to the Premier League, with links previously to Manchester United and former club Chelsea emerging last year.

Lloyd Kelly of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea FC at Vitality Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Bournemouth, England.

Lloyd Kelly joined Newcastle from Bournemouth (Image credit: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Indeed, the club’s first through the door of the window was Kelly, who made 23 Premier League appearances last season as Bournemouth landed in 12th with their highest top-flight points tally.

We have a guide on how to get Euro 2024 tickets if you're still looking to go to the tournament. We have the run-down on Euro 2024 stadiums, with info on host cities, capacities, and everything you need to know.

We have a list of the Euro 2024 favourites, with best odds on nations to win European Championship in Germany, while these are the best Euros games ever and these are the best pundits ever. With England set to be one of the favourites, meanwhile, we've analysed what the pathway to the final could look like for the Three Lions. 

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Jacque Talbot
Jacque Talbot

Jacque Talbot is a freelance football journalist who predominantly specialises in transfer stories and exclusives. He began his career in 2016 covering the world-renowned Sandbach United, of North West Counties fame, before earning a spot on the sports desks of national papers, where he bounced between several outlets such as Sportbible, the Express, Mirror, and Daily Star. An NCTJ graduate of the News Associates who swapped investigative journalism in the Costa del Sol for football reporting in Northern England, he first wrote for FourFourTwo in December 2023.