Newcastle United in talks over a move for Bayer Leverkusen left-back Mitchel Bakker

Newcastle United are in talks over Bayer Leverkusen left-back Mitchel Bakker… while Eddie Howe hopes to secure £30m deal for Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos this week

  • Newcastle are in talks over a move for Bayer Leverkusen left-back Mitchel Bakker
  • The Dutch U21 international only joined the Bundesliga giants last summer
  • Bakker joined Leverkusen from Paris St Germain in a deal worth up to £8.5m
  • Bakker is a modern full-back. He is over 6ft tall and is built like a centre back
  • He was first choice for Paris St Germain under former manager Thomas Tuchel 


Newcastle United are in talks over a move for Bayer Leverkusen left-back Mitchel Bakker.

The Dutch U21 international, a product of Ajax’s academy, only joined Leverkusen last summer from Paris St Germain in a deal worth up to £8.5million and Newcastle are willing to offer them a quick profit.

Bakker is a modern full-back. He is over 6ft tall, has the build of a centre back so would give much needed height and athleticism in that role plus pace. 

Newcastle United are in talks over a move for Bayer Leverkusen left-back Mitchel Bakker (L)

Eddie Howe is also hoping to finalise £30m deal with Sevilla's Diego Carlos (above) this week

Eddie Howe is also hoping to finalise £30m deal with Sevilla’s Diego Carlos (above) this week

He was first choice for Paris St Germain under Thomas Tuchel but drifted out of favour under Mauricio Pochettino and subsequently looked for a new project with Leverkusen. Now Newcastle hope to tempt him with their project.

Another Newcastle target, Sevilla centre back Diego Carlos is submitting a formal transfer request.

The 28-year-old is due to play against Valencia on Wednesday night with Sevilla so far refusing to accept Newcastle’s offers of £28million plus.

Bakker was first choice for Paris St Germain under Thomas Tuchel but drifted out of favour under Mauricio Pochettino and subsequently looked for a new project with Leverkusen

Bakker was first choice for Paris St Germain under Thomas Tuchel but drifted out of favour under Mauricio Pochettino and subsequently looked for a new project with Leverkusen

Centre-back is a priority for Eddie Howe and the club have been scrambling around different targets to try and deliver two reliable defenders who can give them that extra security as they bid to stay up. Newcastle have conceded 43 goals in just 20 Premier League games this season. Only Norwich have a worse defensive record.

Brazilian Diego wants to come to Newcastle and will be a given a substantial pay rise but Sevilla are reluctant to deal now as Jules Kounde is struggling with injury and they have little in the way of cover.

Newcastle hope his request to leave can help persuade Sevilla into reaching a compromise.

Centre-back is a priority for Eddie Howe and the club have been scrambling around different targets to try and deliver two reliable defenders who can give them that extra security

Centre-back is a priority for Eddie Howe and the club have been scrambling around different targets to try and deliver two reliable defenders who can give them that extra security

Sevilla remain keen on a deal for Manchester United striker Anthony Martial and that could come into play if they bring in funds from Diego’s sale. Juventus have also asked about Martial but say his salary and loan fee mean a deal is not feasible.

Howe’s side sit 19th in the table after conceding a late goal against Watford on Saturday and face Leeds before an international break.

Howe has already signed England full-back Kieran Trippier for £12m and former Burnley striker Chris Wood for £25m in an attempt to avoid relegation following the takeover by the club’s new owners in October.

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