Germany U21 captain Jonathan Burkardt says he will ‘definitely stay’ at Mainz while rubbishing speculation linking him with a move to Premier League giants Newcastle United, speaking to Kicker.
Now, some context is required here. It seems that those ‘Burkardt to Newcastle’ rumours have become lost in translation. Opinion presented as fact.
The Athletic last week suggested that one of the Bundesliga’s rising stars was a player The Magpies should consider after missing out on Hugo Ekitike to Paris Saint-Germain. Young, hungry and boasting substantial re-sale value; 22-year-old Burkardt certainly ticks a lot of boxes as far as Newcastle, Eddie Howe and new sporting director Dan Ashworth are concerned.
But there is nothing to suggest that Newcastle are considering Burkardt at this stage. And even if they were, luring the Germany U21 skipper away from the club where he’s made his name would be no easy task.
Jonathan Burkardt not interested in Newcastle United links
“The current situation is that I’m staying at Mainz and will definitely play the season here,” Burkardt says before raising a quizzical eyebrow at
“I don’t know anything about it myself. And it doesn’t interest me at all.”
The tenacious, hard-working Burkardt scored 12 times during an impressive breakthrough campaign in 2021/22. He even gave Bayern Munich the run-around during a famous 3-1 Mainz win back in April.
Newcastle, meanwhile, remain in the market for a new number nine after Ekitike finally sealed a protracted move to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. The former Reims wonderkid – who The Magpies had initially agreed to pay £25.6 million for – moves to PSG on an initial loan deal.
“It’s no secret that we really liked Hugo,” Howe explains to The Chronicle. “We worked hard to try and do that deal. He’s a very talented lad and he decided to go to PSG.
“I have no hard feelings toward him and wish him well in the next phase of his career. I really do wish him luck.
“But it is an example of the types of clubs we’re competing with to try and improve our squad.”
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