According to reports, Newcastle United are working on a move for Switzerland World Cup star Fabian Schar. The Deportivo La Coruna defender has been identified as a perfect candidate as the Magpies look to bolster their defence this summer.
It is believed that the 26-year-old is keen on a move away from Deportivo after they were relegated from La Liga last season, paving the way for Newcastle to make a fresh bid. His current contract with the club expires in 2021.
The defender is currently on holiday after helping Switzerland reach the Round of 16 of the recently concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign. He featured in all three of the group games as the Rossocrociati finished second behind Brazil.
Schar spent the previous season at Deportivo La Coruna after initially moving from Hoffenheim last summer for a fee of £2.70 million. During his debut campaign in Spain, the 26-year-old featured in 25 games but ultimately failed to save his side from relegation.
Newcastle United, on the other hand, have had a solid defensive line, of late. The likes of Florian Lejeune and Jamaal Lascelles were rock solid at the back in the second half of last campaign, helping them finish the season on a strong note.
However, the Magpies do lack necessary depth in the defensive department. Even though Ciaran Clank will be available this season, club captain Lascelles has been hugely linked with a move away from St. James’ Park this summer with Chelsea, in particular, showing a keen interest in his services. And to add to that, Chancel Mbemba is also strongly linked with an exit. As a result of which, head coach Rafa Benitez will only have three reliable options next season, providing Lascelles remains at the club.
Thus, the addition of a new centre-back seems imperative as they look to make an impression in the forthcoming campaign. And Fabian Schar, in that regard, could be an ideal candidate, given his sheer talent.
Even though his progress after leaving his youth club Basel hasn’t exactly gone the way he would have liked, Schar is still regarded as a talented defender, who can well prove to be an asset for any mid-table Premier League club especially with his proficiency at set-pieces well advertised.
His addition to the club will hand Benitez with an added option as far as his defensive unit is concerned and considering the speculation surrounding Lascelles, the 26-year-old can also emerge as an indirect replacement for the Newcastle star defender.
Lastly, Fabian Schar won’t cost a fortune either because of the fact that Deportivo have been relegated from La Liga last campaign and reports suggest he has a release clause of just £3m.
