The search goes on for the Magpies

IT feels like we have been here before. Twelve months on from the protracted negotiations for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, Newcastle United remain in the market for a right-sided central defender.

- By STUART JAMIESON Regional football editor [e-mail] @sjamieson74

Guehi appears to be heading for Liverpool, although the Premier League champions are balking at the Eagles’ asking price (where have we heard that before?) and United have turned their attentions elsewhere.

It's a difficult balance for Eddie Howe, Steve Nickson and Newcastle’s recruitment team to strike - the ideal candidates will have plenty of experience, but still young enough to become a long-term partner for Sven Botman.

Players of that ilk don’t come cheap and United will have to splash the cash to solve the ‘problem’.

The form of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn has meant it’s not something they have needed to address too urgently, but United will need options this coming season, particularly with Champions League football ahead.

There have been plenty of names linked, but here are five realistic options who could add quality to the Newcastle first XI.

Leonardo Balerdi

The Argentina defender has emerged as a leading candidate, with a bid of around £35m thought to be enough to prise him from Marseille.