Newcastle United now ‘at forefront’ of transfer race for defender who rejected move in Summer

Newcastle United are reportedly back in the race to sign Fikayo Tomori, a defender who had previously rejected a move to the club during the summer transfer window. Earlier in the year, Newcastle had pursued several defenders, including Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, but also showed interest in Tomori, who currently plays for AC Milan. Despite the initial speculation, Tomori publicly stated that he would not return to England and saw a move to Newcastle as a step backward in his career. This declaration made it seem unlikely that Newcastle would pursue him further, especially as they were heavily linked with Guehi at the time.

However, recent reports indicate that Tomori, who has struggled for regular minutes at AC Milan this season, may now be available. The defender has made only eight league appearances, including just six starts, and has found himself on the bench for several games. It seems that his current situation at Milan, coupled with his inability to perform as expected, may prompt the club to offload him.

Reports from Calciomercato suggest that Juventus and Newcastle are the leading clubs in the hunt for Tomori’s signature, with the latter reportedly at the forefront of the race. Despite his previous comments, it appears that Tomori could now be open to a move to a club like Newcastle, especially given his current lack of playing time and Milan’s potential willingness to let him go.

If Newcastle were to secure his signature, it would be seen as a significant coup, although Tomori’s earlier dismissal of the move may take some time to be forgotten by the fans. Nevertheless, Tomori’s quality as a defender is undeniable, and if he does join, it is likely that his performances will win over the supporters. However, given his contract at Milan runs until 2027, it is expected that any deal would come at a high price, despite his current struggles in Serie A.

While Newcastle’s defensive options have improved in recent seasons, adding a player of Tomori’s caliber would certainly bolster their squad. His experience in both the Premier League with Chelsea and in Italy with Milan would make him a valuable asset to Eddie Howe’s team. However, the question remains whether Tomori’s pride will allow him to make the move to a club like Newcastle, which, while progressing, might not match the stature he once envisioned.

If a transfer does go through, Newcastle could be adding an important piece to their defensive puzzle, but it remains to be seen how Tomori will fit into the club’s plans and how he will handle the transition from Milan to Tyneside.