Newcastle United have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen as the club prepares for a return of Champions League football to St. James’ Park.
According to Daily Mail, Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen is a target for Newcastle United. But the asking price for the 27-year-old centre-back could be an issue.
The Toon are not messing around. After qualifying for the UEFA Champions League with a fourth-place finish last season, Eddie Howe is looking to bring in some elite-level talent to improve the quality of his squad.
They stunned the transfer market by first making a £50 million bid for Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella. After being quoted an exorbitant fee for the player by the Nerrazzurri, they wasted no time in turning their attention towards a different Italy international midfielder, who also plays at San Siro, albeit for Inter’s bitter rivals AC Milan.
Newcastle United are now going all-out for Tonali. A £60 million fee is all but agreed upon, but discussions are ongoing around the structure of the deal with the Magpies sporting director in Italy to close the deal. However, the Tyneside club are trying to strengthen in multiple areas and have now set their sights on Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen.
The 27-year-old joined Palace permanently in a £17 million move from Lyon in 2021 after impressing during a season-long loan at Fulham. Since then, the Dane has established himself as one of the best ball-playing defenders in the Premier League, impressing in a rock-solid partnership alongside England international Marc Guehi at the heart of the Eagles’ defence.
Newcastle United’s interest in Andersen stems from the fact that boss Howe is looking to sign a right-sided centre-half to provide competition and eventually replace 31-year-old Switzerland international Fabian Schar, who has been brilliant since Howe’s arrival at St. James’ Park back last year.
Like Schar, Andersen is exceptional on the ball, passing and bringing the ball out of defence. Standing at 6ft 3in, he is really good in the air as well, and he is a good all-round defender, but he is four years younger. At 27, he may not be what has been the ideal age for Howe’s big signings. But as an experienced central defender, he should still have the best years of his career ahead of him.
As things stand, the Magpies have enquired about the possibility of signing Andersen in this window. But Palace’s asking price could prove to be a stumbling block. The report has not noted the Eagles’ demands to let the Dane go. But considering he still has three years on his contract and is one of their most important players, he will not come cheap by any means.
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That said, if Andersen is aware of Newcastle’s enquiry, his head could be turned with the possibility of Champions League football next year, and that could force Palace’s hand a little. It remains to be seen how this story unfolds in the coming weeks.
