AC Milan are giving themselves a back-up plan in the event they don't land funding from the Serie A club's takeover consortium in time to snatch Sven Botman.
Botman's representatives are understood to have expected a concrete offer from Milan by now but the Italian champions have pleaded for more time for US private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners to complete their acquisition of 70% of the club. But with technical director Paolo Maldini realistic about how long they can keep Botman waiting, another target is being lined up.
And it will be a name that is familiar to Newcastle fans in Gleison Bremer - the top notch centre-back that was linked with United last January. Torino star Bremer won Serie A's top defender award this season and is no stranger to transfer links.
Indeed, Chelsea and Leicester City, along with Newcastle, have checked out the Brazilian in recent seasons. But with Bremer available for what many see as something of a snip at €25million, Milan are keeping a close eye on the South American star.
The only surprise this summer in Serie A is there isn't more interest in the 25-year-old. After all his defensive statistics were absolutely superb last season.
The other factor in the Botman saga is the fact that Lille, while they don't want to lose the Dutchman, also want answers so they can get on with finding a replacement.
Dan Ashworth's thorough review under way at the Academy
The sporting director met with Academy manager Steve Harper on Thursday as his review of the club's youth system got under way. The club's Under-18 side suffered a torrid campaign with Neil Winskill and Peter Ramage's side finishing rock bottom of the table suffering a 13-0 defeat against Man City and a 6-0 loss to Man United along the way.
The sorry season was rounded off with a 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool with the club's former top boy Bobby Clark netting a goal at Little Benton in the colours of Liverpool. Having lost Clark to the Reds, there is a severe shortage of quality youngsters coming through the ranks.
Newcastle are already looking to hire a new Under-18 coach and Ashworth will be casting a firm eye over developments down at the Academy in the role United bosses are calling an "overarching" position. Ashworth has also spent the week getting to know admin and behind the scenes staff as he finds his way around the club he now essentially runs on a daily basis.
Magpies continue to be linked with new goalkeepers
With Freddie Woodman expected to make the switch to Preston North End, there are still question marks over Karl Darlow and Mark Gillespie this summer. United were credited with interest in Alphonse Areola of PSG, with a £7.6million fee mooted, and Borussia Monchengladbach's Swiss stopper Yann Sommer.
Martin Dubravka is still expected to start the season as number 1 keeper but Eddie Howe is exploring options in terms of livening up competition for the gloves in the 2022/23 campaign.
