Newcastle are on the brink of signing Tosin Adarabioyo and Lloyd Kelly on free transfers this summer, talkSPORT understands.
Newcastle have been desperate to bolster their defence after a tricky year fraught with injuries and have pinpointed the Premier League duo, who are out of contract at the end of next month.
Fulham star Adarabioyo could be the first to arrive, who has long been eyed by the Geordies after a brilliant campaign in west London.
The 26-year-old looks set to be a key player under Eddie Howe, who wants fresh blood in his backline with Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar now in their 30s.
The centre-back, who came up through the academy at Manchester City, missed the start of the season through groin surgery before making 25 appearances in all competitions and a total of 132 for the Cottagers.
Manchester United were also interested in the former England Under-19 international as they continue searching for a replacement for Raphael Varane, who announced he will leave Old Trafford this summer.
Kelly, who joined Bournemouth from Bristol City five years ago for £13million, is also on the brink of joining Newcastle to bolster their options at the back.
Able to operate as a centre-back and a left-back, he is seen as the natural successor to Dan Burn, who turned 32 earlier this month.
Signing both players on free transfers would be a major coup for Howe, who could let fringe players like Paul Dummett and Emil Krafth leave.
The Magpies have been hit hard by injuries throughout the campaign with star defender Sven Botman missing the majority of the season.
And Newcastle are also having to contend with Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules, which makes signing two free players even more appealing.
It could open up further negotiations for other targets at St. James’ Park including Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Plenty of Newcastle’s summer will also revolve around Bruno Guimaraes’ future, who has been linked with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
While the Brazilian signed a new contract earlier this season, it includes a release clause that could see Newcastle powerless to the midfielder’s departure, if he chooses so.
Nevertheless, Howe remains confident he can keep hold of the 26-year-old, who wrote a message to the fans on social media this week.
He wrote on X: “It has been a huge mix of emotions, but I’m certain that I gave my best at all times, as did the entire team.
“It was a season full of injuries, and I’m sure we could have done much more if we had been at full strength. Even so, I think we achieved a lot with the little we had this year.”