Newcastle are offering £27m which could take Guimaraes to the next level

Newcastle United have made some big changes this summer – despite not being in Eddie Howe's first-team squad.

The Tyneside outfit may have seen significant structural movement, but little has happened on the transfer front. Lewis Hall's loan deal has been completed permanently and Lloyd Kelly has been signed on a free transfer from Bournemouth, but the backline needs more work and a wide forward is being pursued.

St. James' Park have gone from strength to strength in the past few years, following the takeover of the PIF-backed club, and now have the chance to overcome last season's injury-riddled Magpies year and mount a return to the Champions League.

The fans are understandably desperate for more power in attack – and the signs suggest they will get their wish – but with Sven Botman's knee injury keeping him out until the end of 2024, Howe is desperate to find another defender to get his side back on track. imperiousness in defense.

Newcastle include another defender

Kelly on the left side brings security and power at the back but more is needed in the center right. So, there may be something to the reports that Newcastle are aiming to sign Jean-Clair Todibo from OGC Nice.

The French defender is Juventus' number one target this summer and has rejected West Ham United despite the east London side agreeing a £27m deal to sign him.

Now, according to transfer expert Graeme Bailey, the Toons are preparing to launch their move after holding talks with Todibo's representatives.

Newcastle's new sporting director, Paul Mitchell, wants to hijack the Juventus car in what could be a dramatic turnaround. There is a long way to go but this one encourages caution.

Jean-Clair Todibo's season 23/24 by the numbers

Todibo, who stands at 6 foot 3, is a big defender with strong defensive skills and an impressive level of skill which speaks to his suitability for Newcastle's fluid, progressive system.

According to FBref, he ranked in the top 18% of defenders in Ligue 1 last season for assists (0.07 per 90) and in the top 10% for shots (1.47 per 90), highlighting that creative flair that can get open. up a new feature from deep.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig recommended his “high quality“A presence at the back and this is reflected in the overall composition of his game, the 24-year-old also kept 14 clean sheets in 30 Ligue 1 games last season, completing 90% of his passes and a strike rate of 1.9 and for winning 4.5 duels (with a success rate of 59%).

But the most eye-catching aspect of the former La Masia man is his athleticism, movement and the strength required to dominate the defensive third position with a steely grip – averaging 7.1 possessions per game in France's top flight.

Todibo's influence is so great that he could not help but improve his defensive partners on Tyneside. With such a strong style of play, he could actually be Bruno Guimaraes' dream defender.

Why Newcastle must sign Jean-Clair Todibo

Guimaraes have been linked with a move away from Newcastle this summer, although the June sales of Elliott Anderson and young winger Yankuba Minteh eased the burden on Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United have all registered a late interest but the £100m release clause in Guimaraes' contract has expired, meaning Howe and Co can demand any fee they see fit for the club's midfielder. .

Signed from Lyon for £40m in January 2022 – at the start of a new wave of hope for the Magpies – the Brazilian has been praised for his “world-class” ability by team-mate Dan Burn and has produced impressive metrics each season.

The table above highlights Guimaraes' statistics across his two and a half seasons in the Premier League. It's a lot to take away, but it shows the absurd level of circularity that is costing Newcastle's engine room.

He struggled for points last season but this is largely due to the constant injury problem that plagued his team – especially in defence. With Todibo behind him – a defender who had surprisingly more balls than he averaged in his league last season – Newcastle can get back in front.

After all, while the £160k-a-week midfielder stuck through the middle of the park with dogged determination, it was his ball-playing skills that would benefit the most from a solid centre-back.

Indeed, Guimaraes ranked in the top 10% of peers in Europe's top five leagues last season for assists and goals and in the top 13% for passing completions of 90, underscoring that fact.

Todibo will provide security and stability, yes, but also his continued style of passing to Newcastle's main man, and improving the side's collective fluidity.

Juventus may feel they are favorites to sign Todibo, but Newcastle look set to upset the club in Turin. If they release it, it will be quite a signing.