Newcastle United are confident of securing Eddie Howe a new left-back before the January transfer window ends on Monday night if Bayer Leverkusen can replace Mitchel Bakker.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who report the Magpies expect to sign the Dutchman for £16m. The St James’ Park natives are now waiting on tenterhooks for Die Werkself to sign a successor in the final days of the market.
Bakker only moved to the BayArena from Paris Saint-Germain for €7m (£6m) last July after impressing following his senior breakthrough. The 21-year-old made 40 of his 45 first-team PSG appearances in 2020/21, while offering two assists.
Gerardo Seoane has since started Bakker in 11 of his 13 Bundesliga appearances this season for one goal and three assists. The Leverkusen boss had to do without the 12-cap Netherlands U21 ace for six games before Christmas after a lateral collateral ligament tear.
Bayer Leverkusen are now seeking another option after Newcastle offered £16m for Bakker – a £10m profit on his transfer. Seoane securing a successor for the former Ajax prospect is the only hurdle the Magpies believe will prevent his arrival.
Newcastle confident in late Bakker transfer from Bayer Leverkusen
Newcastle have been talking to Bayer Leverkusen over a mid-season transfer for Bakker for weeks. The Daily Mail reported the Toon initially opened discussions with Die Werkself on January 19. But The Telegraph then noted talks collapsed on Monday and the deal was off.
An improved offer appears to have brought life back into negotiations, however. L’Equipe reported on Wednesday that Newcastle returned with a €20m (£16.5m) bid including add-ons. Bakker’s representatives are also in England to finalise his transfer from Leverkusen.
Now, Newcastle’s confidence in Bakker’s transfer is likely at its highest point yet, waiting on Bayer Leverkusen securing his replacement. The full-back, who Werkself Sporting Director Simon Rolfes lauds, could make his debut when Howe’s side host Everton on February 8.
“Mitchel is a technically versatile and dynamic wide player, whose profile fits perfectly to Bayer 04,” Rolfes said, via quotes by Bundesliga.com last summer. “He’s still young and can develop, but already has experience at the highest level with a top European club.”
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