Newcastle United are now revisiting their interest in the transfer of Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. The teen maestro was also on Eddie Howe’s radar last year before his injury.
That is according to the Daily Mail, which reports Newcastle admire what Wirtz would offer at St James’ Park. The Magpies are now looking ahead to the summer sales as Howe bids to build on this season’s successes. Next term may also feature UEFA football on Tyneside.
Howe led Newcastle to their first domestic cup final since 1999 with the Carabao Cup. The Magpies also sit sixth in the Premier League table through 24 fixtures for a Europa League-paying spot. Yet the Toon hold games in hand to move into the Champions League places.
Newcastle admire what Wirtz could offer as a fresh component of Howe’s march towards regularly chasing for the top places. The 19-year-old has already offered two goals and five assists across his 10 appearances since making his campaign debut at the turn of the year.
Wirtz made his long-awaited return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee this January. The midfielder had been sidelined since last March when he twisted his ankle and knee against Koln. But before the blow, the German was highly in-demand and valued.
Newcastle are reviving their interest in a transfer from Bayer Leverkusen for Wirtz
Wirtz has started in four of his eight Bundesliga appearances so far this season and offered four assists. He also started in two Europa League ties and struck two goals and an assist as Bayer Leverkusen beat Monaco in the knockout round play-offs on penalties in February.
Bayer Leverkusen will now host Ferencvaros for the first leg of their Round of 16 clash this Thursday. While Wirtz’s return to form also has Newcastle reviving their previous interest in the four-cap Germany playmaker former Mannschaft boss Hansi Flick called ‘outstanding’.
“Florian is just a huge asset for this team through his carefreeness,” Flick once stated, via Bundesliga.com. “He’s simply an outstanding technician, loves to play, very creative, has a good shot, runs hard and is quick. He’s got a good total package.”
Reports by Bild in October 2021 listed Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur among his suitors. Bild also noted in March 2022 that Die Werkself valued Wirtz at around £125m.
Bayer Leverkusen also had no interest in selling Wirtz in the summer 2022 transfer window amid Newcastle et al’s interest. Now, his return from injury and instant return to form has convinced the Toon to re-explore a move despite the German’s contract lasting until 2027.
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