10 Centre-Backs Newcastle Must Sign Before The Start Of The Season

2. Joel Matip

Age: 25 Club: Schalke 04 Nationality: Cameroonian Estimated Market Value: £10 million League Apps (2014-15): 21 Newcastle United have been heavily linked with Schalke's Joel Matip this summer and made enquires over the player's availability towards the end of June. One thing is for certain, the Cameroonian centre-back would give Newcastle United a much stronger presence at the back because he is an expert tackler. At 6ft 3in he also has a great aerial advantage and specialises in intercepting on-coming counter attacks. The rumours do seem to have faded a bit since last month and the player has been linked with Real Madrid in recent weeks, but if the Magpies could bring him to Tyneside then they would get a first-class defender with Champions League experience.