Newcastle United
Premier League • England
Newcastle intend to make offer for Liverpool defensive target whose value has doubled within a year
Torino defender Perr Schuurs and Roma forward Ola Solbakken
Newcastle United are preparing an offer for Torino defender Perr Schuurs as he takes Serie A by storm and also attracts Liverpool, according to a top source in Italy.
Schuurs joined Torino from Ajax back in August and has immediately made an impact in Italy. Across his 25 appearances for his new club so far, the centre-back has showed he could be capable of playing at a higher level.
Liverpool have already been linked with Schuurs as a potential long-term successor to his compatriot, Virgil van Dijk. Their interest has been confirmed by Sky Sport Italia expert Gianluca Di Marzio – who says Newcastle might be serious about signing Schuurs instead, though.
Newcastle are in the market for another centre-back in the upcoming summer transfer window. Ideally, they want to find a new partner for Sven Botman, since Fabian Schar is approaching the end of his prime.
And according to Di Marzio, they could pair up Botman with his Dutch colleague, Schuurs.
Although the reporter makes a point of saying Newcastle haven’t made an offer for Schuurs yet, he indicates that they have the intention to.
In order to convince Torino to sell him, though, they might need to double the €14million price the Italians paid for him last year. A transfer fee of €28m would equate to just under £25m.
It should be within reach for Newcastle, even while they work hard to ensure they remain within Financial Fair Play parameters.
How the 23-year-old would feel about the move remains to be seen. He has settled quickly at Torino, so it could be wise to keep building his career there, but with no European qualification likely, he might want to step up while his stock is high.
Schuurs could sign up for Champions League challenge with Newcastle
Newcastle have made major progress under Eddie Howe this season. They are well in contention to finish in the top six. In fact, they are currently quite comfortable fourth and might even be able to dream about the Champions League.
Despite his relatively young age, Schuurs has 12 Champions League appearances to his name already from his past with Ajax. Newcastle will need to equip themselves with players who know what it takes to compete in that tournament if they qualify, so he may be a useful addition to their squad.
As a right footer, he would be an ideal partner for the left-sided Botman, with whom he has already shared a pitch 27 times between a spell in Ajax’s academy and various youth levels internationally with the Netherlands.
For what it’s worth, Torino still have Schuurs under contract until 2026, with the option of a further year. They would be reluctant to lose him so soon into his spell in Serie A, but Newcastle seem ready to give them something serious to think about.
Whether Liverpool will step up their own plans regarding Schuurs as well, only time will tell. Even so, they look less likely than Newcastle to be in Europe next season, despite their existing pedigree, so Schuurs would have a lot to weigh up if both clubs came in for him.