Newcastle United interested in signing Cesar Tarrega – Report | OneFootball

Newcastle United are interested in signing Cesar Tarrega, according to El Desmarque

The Spanish media outlet reporting that the 23 year old central defender has been watched by Newcastle United and impressed the NUFC recruitment team.

Other (unnamed) Premier League clubs and Serie A outfit Bologna are also credited with interest.

Having made his Valencia debut early in the 2023/24 season, Cesar Tarrega then went on loan that season to Spanish second tier club Valladolid.

Last (2024/25) season saw serious progress, as Cesar Tarrega became first choice for Valencia and made 38 appearances, as the club finished 12th in La Liga.

His impressive form saw the right sided central defender become a regular for the Spain Under 21s and he has impressed at this summer’s Under 21 Euros, until he and his teammates were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Tino Livramento and England on Saturday.

Like all similar transfer stories, who knows how much substance there is in this one.

However, his profile very much fits in with what an Eddie Howe signing could well look like, plus it has previously been reported that Newcastle United are actively scouting at both the Under 19s and Under 21s Euro Finals this summer.

Cesar Tarrega is a young but imposing 6ft 4 centre-back, strong in the air and who despite his size, is also very good on the ball, able to play and bring it out from the back.

El Desmarque say that Newcastle United are yet to make a formal offer for the defender but that Cesar Tarrega and his representatives are aware of Newcastle United’s interest.

The Spanish media outlet states that Tarrega still has three years left on his contract and that the defender has recently said he would be happy to extend that current deal further, with talks planned next month when he returns from holiday.

Of course, once there is concrete interest and a formal bid from another club does come in, then everything can quickly change for any player and their current club.

You would certainly imagine any transfer fee for Cesar Tarrega would be less than prices quoted for some of Newcastle’s other claimed targets. Whilst the fact remains that for your average La Liga club, the revenues generated are far lower than equivalent clubs in the Premier League, plus of course Newcastle United having now established themselves towards the top end of the Premier League and able to offer Champions League football.