Newcastle ‘ready’ to pay £17m for target who’s January move collapsed

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Premier League outfit Newcastle United want Mitchel Bakker from Bayer Leverkusen and would be happy to pay £17 million for the former Paris Saint-Germain man, as reported by BILD. 

As in January, Newcastle are finding out that money can only take you so far.

Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Sule, Sven Botman and Jerry St Juste all turned down potential moves to St James’ Park in favour of clubs who will be playing Champions League football in 2022/23. 

Bayer Leverkusen have secured a seat at Europe’s top table themselves, sitting six points clear of fifth-place Freiburg with just one Bundesliga game remaining.

Bakker will have a difficult decision to make then, if BILD’s prophecy comes true. 

Newcastle want Mitchel Bakker from Bayer Leverkusen

The all-action left-back agreed a move to Newcastle in January, per The Telegraph. A potential £14.5 million switch fell through at the 11^th hour, however, after Leverkusen seemingly got cold feet.  

The 2002 Champions League runners-up might not be too eager to rubber stamp a deal this time around either. Daley Sinkgraven, you see, is Leverkusen’s only other left-back. And the former Ajax youngster is not exactly in favour at the Bay Arena.

BILD add that Newcastle are ‘ready’ to pay £17 million for Bakker. That is some £2.5 million more than they were set to send Leverkusen’s way in January. The Netherlands U21 international has played 29 games this season, scoring once and providing a respectable four assists. 

Interestingly, Bakker is one of a number of talented left-backs reportedly on Newcastle’s radar. According to The Athletic, Eddie Howe and co have doubts about whether to turn Matt Targett’s loan into a permanent transfer, despite his impressive displays since arriving from Aston Villa in January. 

“I think it’s a very possible (move),” Dutch expert Marcel Van der Krann told talkSPORT of Bakker.  

“He’s made for English football. He has pace and flair. Players like Kieran Trippier, he is very similar. 

“He is not afraid of the big crowds or the pressure. I think he would do well and if there’s a chance for the club to sign him, I think he would be a very good asset.”