Newcastle readying offer to sign Felix Nmecha as ‘astronomical’ price tag revealed

With almost two weeks to go until the Premier League campaign gets underway, there’s no Eddie Howe, no Bruno Guimaraes, no Anthony Gordon, no Sandro Tonali and rumours beginning to surround Lewis Hall’s future. Newcastle United have descended into a nightmare of chaos.

Left to pick up the pieces is new manager Mathias Jaissle. He arrives hoping to go from unknown manager to Geordie hero, but must be backed in the rest of the transfer window – starting with the addition of Felix Nmecha.

It’s not been an easy ride on the recruitment side, either. Top targets like Hugo Ekitike and, more recently, Johan Manzambi have headed elsewhere in the Premier League, but the likes of Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba have still arrived.

There’s still plenty more work to do, however, and the addition of Nmecha would undoubtedly go a long way to solving Newcastle’s problems.

REUTERS/Stringer

Despite Germany’s early exit, the midfielder enjoyed an excellent World Cup. He put his passing range on show, breaking between lines on the ball, and breaking up possession off the ball.

Initial reports mentioned clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United, but it is now Newcastle who have the Borussia Dortmund man in their sights. With cash to splash after Guimaraes’ exit, Nmecha could be the next name through the door.

Newcastle readying offer to sign Felix Nmecha

REUTERS/Caean Couto

As reported by Sky Germany, Newcastle are now readying an offer to sign Nmecha from Borussia Dortmund this month. The Magpies intend to submit a bid and have already made contact with the midfielder’s representatives, while the player himself dreams of playing in the Premier League one day.

But the deal won’t come cheap. The German club’s sporting director, Ole Book, has publicly stated it will take an ‘astronomical sum’ to pry him away, revealing a fee of over €100m (£86m) would be required, possibly up to €120m (£103m). That would smash Newcastle’s transfer record either way – and possibly put an end to their midfield woes.

Some will say Nmecha will be worth every penny, though, especially if they wait until next summer, when he has a release clause of €80m (£69m). This is a player who’s been at the centre of praise in Germany, with former national team boss Julian Nagelsmann dubbing him “world-class” in the build-up to the World Cup.

In terms of statement signings, the 25-year-old should be the priority at St James’ Park this month. They’re running out of time to solve their midfield crisis and Nmecha would instantly replace Guimaraes’ work in possession and Tonali’s relentless work off the ball.