Newcastle United face a battle to hold on to Kieran Trippier.
The England full-back is ready to leave and has attracted interest from multiple suitors including Monaco.
But Eddie Howe wants cover before thinking of letting go of Trippier, who played 25 Premier League games last season.
Newcastle are reluctant to sell him. Trippier has already had a flavour of the continent after spending two-and-a-half seasons with Atletico Madrid before joining Newcastle.
Toon are finalising the £34million signing of Malick Thiaw from AC Milan and he can fill in at right-back, but he is a centre-half by trade.
The Magpies also have Tino Livramento, who switched to the left side in the latter stages of last season, as well as Emil Krafth and Harrison Ashby.
Kieran Trippier has attracted numerous suitors including Monaco and wants to leave
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe faces a fight to hold on to the 54-time England international
A fight to keep another star is the last thing Howe needs after the Alexander Isak saga which has infected their summer.
Isak is set to miss their Premier League season opener against Aston Villa after letting it be known that he wants to join Liverpool.
The striker is not training with his team-mates but he will not be going anywhere until the club secure a replacement.
Howe’s ideal scenario is that Isak changes his mind and decides to stay, but he knows that is unlikely. Newcastle rejected a £100m bid last weekend.
They are pressing to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford. Newcastle have endured a tumultuous transfer window and saw a £25million bid for the forward rejected by Brentford last month.
Brentford have not set a valuation on Wissa, who will turn 29 in September, but are believed to be hoping for about £40million.
He has just a year left on his contract but the Bees have the option to extend it by a further year until 2027.
Leicester’s attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss is also of interest.
