Newcastle warned they may have to pay £60m for another target after Tonali

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Newcastle United are eyeing Joachim Andersen but Simon Jordan and Danny Murphy agree that it may take a bid well in excess of £30 million to convince Premier League rivals Crystal Palace to sell. 

At the risk of raining on the Magpies’ parade, Eddie Howe’s squad feels slighty threadbare for one facing up to the prospect of balancing both domestic and European exploits next term; Champions League football returning to St James’ Park for the first time since Sir Bobby Robson’s heyday. 

Sven Botman and Fabian Schar was one of the Premier League’s finest centre-half partnerships in 2022/23, but there remains a concerning lack of depth in reserve. Paul Dummett and the versatile Dan Burn are Newcastle United’s only other options in the centre, and both of those prefer to play on the left. 

Jamaal Lascelles, meanwhile, is expected to leave.

Newcastle’s pursuit of Joachim Andersen, then, feels like one driven by necessity. 

Newcastle United eye Joachim Andersen of Crystal Palace

According to the Daily Mail, Eddie Howe’s side have lodged an enquiry for the towering Denmark international, who has largely excelled since joining Crystal Palace from Lyon in a £17 million deal back in 2021. 

Former Palace owner Simon Jordan, however, is not expecting his old club to let Andersen go without a fight. Especially with the Dane’s sparring partner Marc Guehi also attracting plenty of interest. 

“Given the fact they’ve got potential interest in the other centre-back, Guehi, I think Palace are going to want top money. And I don’t think £30 million would get him out,” Jordan tells talkSPORT (28 June, 12pm). 

Danny Murphy, the former England, Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder, tends to agree. He believes that, in this madcap market and with a further three years remaining on Andersen’s contract, Newcastle may have to stump up a fee in the region of the £60 million one they are investing in AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali. 

“You’d have to double that (Jordan’s £30 million suggestion),” Murphy argues. 

If Newcastle can agree a deal, former Fulham loanee Andersen would be a potentially inspired long-term replacement for Fabian Schar, his towering presence and pinpoint long-range passing reminiscent of the long-serving Swiss.

“Schar has had a great season,” Murphy adds. “When you cross into that line into European football, you need squad depth. But you need quality depth, not just numbers. 

“you can’t just have two centre-halves. That back four more or less played the whole season. They are not going to get that luxury again. So (Howe) needs quality. And Anderson is quality by the way, what a good passer he is.”