By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

27th Sep, 2023 | 7:00am

Sources: Newcastle United ready to agree centre-back deal

Newcastle are keen to add a centre-back to their squad in the January window, sources have told Football Insider.

Working with sporting director Dan Ashworth, Eddie Howe has identified the heart of his defence as an area for improvement in the mid-season window.

Football Insider revealed on Monday (25 September) that Newcastle are ready to add multiple players to their squad in January.

This development comes in the aftermath of Howe’s concerning comments about the Magpies’ involvement in the Champions League.

Newcastle are keen to add more depth to their squad with potential involvement in Europe still to come after the New Year.

The Tyneside club have lined up with Sven Botman and Fabian Schar for the vast majority of their games in the 2023-24 campaign.

Dan Burn was also forced to step into the heart of the defence for the 3-1 loss away at Brighton on 2 September after an injury to Schar.

Schar is out of contract at St James’ Park at the end of this season, while Burn is under contract until June 2025.

Back-up star Jamaal Lascelles, who has played just 16 minutes this season, is also out of contract at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Newcastle were widely linked with several centre-backs in the summer window but concluded their business with the loan-to-buy signing of Lewis Hall some ten days before the transfer deadline.

Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (26 September) that Howe’s side are ready to sell multiple fringe players once again in January.

Martin Dubravka, Mark Gillespie, Emil Krafth, Javi Manquillo, Loris Karius and Paul Dummett are yet to play a single minute for the Magpies in the 2023-24 campaign.

In other news, Newcastle set for extensions blizzard with star on the verge of agreement.