Newcastle United are showing serious interest in Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz; although a January move for the German sensation could prove difficult.
The attacking midfielder has been identified as one of the club’s top targets heading into 2024 and it’s believed the club are willing to pay in excess of £50m to land the highly-rated 20-year-old.
However, with Leverkusen currently top of the Bundesliga and in no rush to sell one of their prised assets who has bagged six goals and 10 assists already this season, any move for Wirtz may have to wait until the summer.
As for the January window, the club are looking to bring in at least two new signings, with a loan move for Kalvin Phillips currently a top priority alongside a versatile forward able to play up top or out wide.
Phillips is keen on a move to Tyneside and Eddie Howe is a big fan of the 27-year-old, who is eager for game time over the second half of the campaign to boost his Euro 2024 hopes. His injury history has been noted as a concern, but he’s considered a suitable short-term replacement for Sandro Tonali and could give us another option to play in that holding role; where we’ve been guilty of an overreliance on Bruno Guimaraes.
A centre-back was deemed a top target last summer and options have been explored heading into the New Year, but it’s believed Tino Livramento’s performances at left-back will allow Dan Bun to act as cover in the middle, with Jamaal Lascelles’ performances in Sven Botman’s absence also reducing our immediate need for another option.
Instead, a top centre-back is expected to arrive next summer, with a younger option able to compete with Fabian Schar and become Sven Botman’s long-term partner still high on the agenda along with the exciting Wirtz.
