Augsburg’s Bundesliga defender Felix Uduokhai has played down speculation linking him with a £21 million move to Premier League outfit Newcastle United, speaking to Traunsteiner Tagblatt.
Heading into the January transfer window, Newcastle had plans to bring in a new centre-forward, a right-back, a left-back, a commanding central defender, a talented wide forward and a box-to-box midfielder.
So needless to say, a week before the deadline, there is a lot of work still to be done.
Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier have added a fresh coat of paint to Eddie Howe’s vehicle. But this Newcastle United side would still be fortunate to pass their MOT.
A reliable centre-half – one capable of reinforcing the Premier League’s second-most porous backline – appears to be the top priority as the January window enters it’s final straight.
Finding one, however, is proving to be easier said than done.
A deal for their number one target – Lille’s Sven Botman – is as dead as the proverbial dodo. Sevilla, meanwhile, are desperate to hang onto Diego Carlos with La Liga glory in their sights.
That’s why, according to Tuttomercatoweb, Newcastle are also lining up a £21 million for former Germany U21 international Uduokhai. A case of putting your eggs in a number of different baskets.
At this stage, however, Uduokhai is about as likely to arrive at St James’ Park this week as Botman is.
Will Newcastle miss out on another defender target?
“I can say with certainty that I haven’t received any offer from England,” says the 6ft 4ins one-time Wolfsburg youngster.
“I’m not interested either. I have other more important things on my mind at the moment.”
Like saving Augsburg’s Bundesliga skin, for one.
Markus Weinzierl’s side might have sealed a famous 2-1 win over Bayern Munich in November but they are still 16th in the table, one point off the automatic relegation positions.
“In terms of development, we’re on the right track,” adds Uduokhai, who’s been joined at the WWK Arena by USA wonderkid Ricardo Pepi (below).
“But it’s not easy with a lot of younger players.”
“One or two experienced players would do the club good. Nevertheless, I see Augsburg on the right track.”
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