Journalist Dean Jones is ‘not convinced’ that Newcastle United have identified Everton defender Ben Godfrey as one of ‘their key targets’ for the summer transfer window.

The Magpies became the richest football club in the world following their Saudi-backed takeover last year and have been linked with several intriguing players ever since.

What is the latest news involving Godfrey?

According to The Mirror, Newcastle are ‘stepping up their interest’ in Godfrey as manager Eddie Howe looks to add further reinforcements to his defensive options.

The England international joined the Toffees from Norwich City in October 2020 for £25 million and has gone on to establish himself as an accomplished Premier League player ever since, making 80 top-flight appearances throughout his short career.

Everton are currently hovering just one place above the relegation zone and keeping hold of Godfrey may be extremely difficult should they drop into the Championship next season.

However, the report also claims that the wages on offer at St. James’ Park will make any potential move from the north-west to the north-east ‘an attractive proposition’ either way.

It remains to be seen if Newcastle follow up their apparent interest in Godfrey with a formal offer, but it seems he is at least on Howe’s radar.

What has Jones said about Godfrey?

Newcastle were unsuccessful in their efforts to sign Lille centre-back Sven Botman and Diego Carlos of Sevilla in January, before eventually securing the services of Dan Burn.

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And Jones is sceptical over whether the club’s hierarchy have outlined the 24-year-old as one of the players at the top of their wish list for when the market reopens.

In an exclusive interview, he told GiveMeSport: “I'm just not convinced right now that he is one of their key targets.”

What is Newcastle’s current centre-back situation?

Burn’s arrival from Brighton at the halfway stage of the campaign has helped to transform Newcastle’s defensive record.

Since the new year, the Toon Army have kept three clean sheets in their 10 Premier League fixtures, leaking just seven goals, a huge improvement on the 42 they had conceded in their previous 19 encounters.

Fabian Schar is also enjoying an upturn in form, sparking talk of a new contract, but there is certainly still room for improvements along the backline.

Jamaal Lascelles, Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark are all outside of Newcastle’s top 13 performers this season, as per WhoScored, highlighting why another central defender is being targeted.