Report: Newcastle eyeing 18-year-old Juventus defender who is currently starring at Roma

With the news that Newcastle United defender Sven Botman faces a nine-month injury layoff the Magpies are now looking at another young Dutch sensation to fill the void.

Sven Botman is facing being out of action for the rest of 2024 after he undergoes surgery next week on an ACL injury that has plagued his season.

While Newcastle were probably already looking to bring in a new central defender in the summer, Botman's injury increases the urgency and possibly even changes the plans now to bring in two defenders to make sure there is plenty of cover.

One player Newcastle reportedly have their eye on, according to AS Roma Live, is 18-year-old Dean Huijsen who is on loan at Roma from Juventus.

Fabio Rossi

There will be plenty of clubs interested in Huijsen this summer

Newcastle will be looking to take advantage of Juventus' financial situation which is forcing the Italian giants to sell players they perhaps otherwise wouldn't. It has been suggested that Dean Huijsen will be one such player who will be put in the shop window this summer.

The Dutch defender, who plays his international football for Spain U21s barely featured for Juventus but went out to Roma on loan in January where he has been an ever-present for the Serie A side. He has played in all 11 of Roma's league games since his move, even scoring twice and providing an assist.

It's now thought that Huijsen will be highly sought after in the summer and Newcastle will be among those with an interest.

Huijsen certainly ticks a lot of boxes for Newcastle

At just 18, he's still a bit raw as Roma boss Daniele De Rossi admitted to Roma Press in a recent interview, but he also said that Huijsen has 'no limit' to what he can achieve.

“There are no limits for him, because he has a level of knowledge, reading the action and playing that is difficult to teach to a first team player. It’s something he has inside, in his nature. In my opinion, he could be a midfielder and play in front of the defense.

“He is someone who knows exactly how to read what’s happening, both in the trajectory of the ball and movement, as a 30-year-old. His intelligence matches that of a veteran.

“He is only 18 years old and there are many things he needs to work on in order to be consistent for 90 minutes. He has time ahead of him and as long as we can we will try to help him because he is a good lad, he is a nice player to watch and to train.”

He sounds like the perfect signing for Newcastle. Young, talented and versatile, able to play in the centre of defence or as that number six that we currently lack.