Eyeing some revenge on Liverpool after the Alexander Isak saga in the summer, Newcastle United now reportedly want to beat the Reds to one impressive defender in 2026.
Newcastle transfer targets heading into January window
Newcastle have some unfinished business in the transfer market. They were forced to rush through late business in the summer after facing several rejections from their top targets and then losing Isak. In the end, they had to settle for Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, having initially targeted the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro.
So far, however, it seems as though they saved their best option for last. Woltemade has been a revelation. The German has scored three goals in four Premier League games and is proven to be worth every penny that Newcastle paid out to make him their record signing.
Aside from Woltemade, though, there’s work to be done in Eddie Howe’s side. Only Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored less goals than the Magpies, with their new signing scoring half of their six Premier League goals. That’s something that they simply must solve.
The return of Wissa and his long-awaited debut next month should go a long way, but when AFCON arrives, Newcastle are likely to be without their summer arrival once again. And that’s when PIF could turn back towards the transfer market.
Rumours have already suggested that their interest in Alexander Sorloth could be reignited this winter, as he seeks a starting place away from Atletico Madrid. The former Crystal Palace forward is certainly the type of player that would turn a blunt attack sharp in January.
Meanwhile, away from what should be their top priority, the Magpies have also reportedly set their sights on some Liverpool revenge.
Newcastle now eyeing Lukeba move
As reported by Caught Offside, PIF and Newcastle have now set their sights on signing Castello Lukeba from RB Leipzig. The impressive central defender is already wanted by Liverpool, but the Magpies could finally take some revenge on those at Anfield by stealing a player they may see as a replacement for Ibrahima Konate.
What should also be music to Newcastle’s ears is Lukeba’s fresh discount. Although the Frenchman has a release clause worth as much as €90m (£78m), reports are now suggesting that Leipzig would accept closer to €60m (£52m) to sell their defender in the summer.
That would be a bargain deal for a player of both his quality and potential. At just 22 years old, Lukeba has earned praise from across the Bundesliga and from the likes of analyst Ben Mattinson, who praised his “unique” profile.
In an ageing backline, Lukeba would provide Newcastle with the perfect partner for Malick Thiaw in a duo that would dominate St James’ Park for years to come.