Newcastle United wanted Mitchel Bakker earlier this year and Bayer Leverkusen now seemingly want to get rid of him.
The Magpies were linked with about five players a day after their takeover in October of last year.
The rumours have slowed down a little since many realised that Newcastle weren’t just going to blow their budget on Neymar or Kylian Mbappe.
Some players linked with Newcastle last season may now wish that they had made the move to St James’ Park – and not just because Eddie Howe’s men are shining.
Newcastle United wanted Mitchel Bakker
One such player is Bayer Leverkusen defender Mitchel Bakker.
The Telegraph reported in January that Newcastle had ‘made progress’ over a deal for Bakker and personal terms were being discussed.
Howe was keen to add a left back to his ranks and Bakker seemed to be one of the top choices for that role.
Instead, the deal collapsed as The Telegraph added that a deal would not be happening in January.
Newcastle pivoted away to sign Matt Targett on loan from Aston Villa instead, striking a deal that would later become permanent.
Bakker played out the season with Leverkusen but now finds himself in a tricky situation.
The Dutchman has only started six of Leverkusen’s 12 Bundesliga games this season but has started three Champions League games.
Bakker has been in and out of the team and Leverkusen have seemingly seen enough.
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports that Leverkusen are ‘unsatisfied’ with Bakker and want to sign a new left back.
Leverkusen want to sign Inter Milan’s German ace Robin Gosens to replace Bakker, potentially playing the 22-year-old on the transfer market.
Newcastle have been using Dan Burn and Targett at left back this season whilst Jamal Lewis is still at the club too.
Will Newcastle go back in for Bakker? It seems unlikely now and the former Paris Saint-Germain talent appears to have missed his chance to join the Magpies.
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