Newcastle United: Four defenders Magpies can sign with Sven Botman facing nine months out | Football | Sport

Newcastle United have been hit where it hurts as star defender Sven Botman is set to miss up to nine months with an ACL injury. The Dutchman will have surgery next week after coming down with the issue against Manchester City. With the summer transfer window just a few months away, Express Sport takes you through four players the Magpies could splash out on to offset Botman’s absence…

Lloyd Kelly

The 25-year-old has been forced to deal with three separate injury issues of his own over the course of this season, but the fact he will be available on a free transfer this summer has catapulted him to the top of many teams’ wish lists.

Liverpool, Tottenham and top clubs from Serie A have all been linked with Kelly, who cut his teeth at Bristol City before signing for Bournemouth in 2019. But Newcastle are also believed to be in the mix, with every chance of beating their competitors to the defender’s signature.

Jarrad Branthwaite

Everton’s dire financial situation means they are widely expected to cash in on the 21-year-old this summer – particularly if their staggering £100million price tag is met. Newcastle, Manchester United and Real Madrid are among those interested.

Branthwaite has started all bar three of the Toffees’ Premier League games this campaign, playing every minute in each of his 25 appearances. Powerful, confident in possession and standing 6ft 5in, the centre-back is tipped to enjoy a bright future at the top level.

Antonio Silva

A first-team regular in the heart of Benfica’s defence at only 20 years old, it’s no wonder Silva is one of the most coveted players in Europe. The youngster is already a full Portuguese international with seven caps to his name.

Nabbing him for less than his hefty £85m release clause could take some doing, particularly with trigger-happy Chelsea among the other teams reportedly sniffing around ahead of the summer transfer window.