Newcastle set for squad upgrade as £69m star watched and 'big changes' expected

The 22-year-old has a long contract with Sporting, and the star who impressed over two legs against Arsenal in the Champions League this month has a release clause of £69m. There is talk that Sporting may well be open to taking less than Diomande's release clause, but the 6ft 3in star is not short of interested parties.

AC Milan and Crystal Palace have both tracked the skilful defender this season, while Newcastle's presence in the stands has been consistent for a longer period. Diomande is a player that head of recruitment Steve Nickson admires and one who could be a quality replacement if, as expected, Fabian Schar leaves the club at the end of his contract this summer.

At 22, the Ivory Coast international could well be deemed a part of the future for seasons to come and would certainly be part of a rebuild on Tyneside. The right-footed centre-back is more than a stopper and his trivela pass against Arsenal recently, which split the Gunners defence wide open, went viral on social media, netting over 500,000 views on TikTok no less.

He is exactly the elegant type of defender that has it all and somebody who be an upgrade on some of Eddie Howe's defensive options. His starting point, as things stand, is having Sven Botman, Dan Burn and Malick Thiaw as his three main centre-backs, presuming Schar leaves.

The arrival of a quality centre-back is vital, and it will be interesting to see how Newcastle facilitate that with other stars in other positions linked with a summer exit. Behind the scenes, the current backroom is braced for at least a couple of high-profile departures, but will get more assurances on them being replaced at next week's big meeting with PIF.

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The meeting with PIF is certain to grab further headlines, as Yasir Al-Rumayyan heads to the North East.

In it, Howe will not only talk about this season's ups and downs, but also why he believes the season has gone the way it has. But he will also make it clear what is needed to remedy the squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Speaking about a squad review, Howe said: "I think we're always looking at the team and trying to make assessments and judgements for the future. I think that's natural, whether you're in a good period or a bad one.

“But of course, if the team's not performing, then potentially there might be bigger changes in the summer than was maybe previously first thought. I think you have to react to what you see, and that goes on a daily basis, a weekly basis, behind the scenes."

The top Newcastle United journalists on the patch will be taking on the great Entertainers team in a walking football match at Gateshead Leisure Centre in June. The likes of Peter Beardsley, Steve Howey, John Beresford and Ruel Fox will take on the local media at Gateshead Leisure Centre on Saturday, 6th June 2026 for a Newcastle Legends vs Media Allstars Walking Football match in aid of AGE UK.

Steve Howey told us this week: "It is a good cause and it's great to get back together with the Entertainers. People still come up to you and want to talk about it. The reaction now 30 years later is incredible. We were always many people's second team. And you are still remembered fondly for it."

Tickets are still available and various packages are available here.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.