One of Newcastle United’s main defensive targets this summer, Joel Matip has started ‘crunch talks’ with new Schalke 04 boss André Breitenreiter this week, according to the Chronicle.
His future at the club remains in the balance with Newcastle’s board still hopeful of securing a £10million deal for the Cameroon international. Matip returned to training yesterday and is likely to be asked about his career plans in the near future. Newcastle aren’t the only club interested in snapping up Matip, with Roma and West Ham also said to be eyeing him up.
When asked about Matip’s future, Breitenreiter told reporters: “I’ve already had a few short discussions with the players.
“The most important thing is that we all get to know each other first. After that, we can look ahead to how we want to play out on the field and how individual players work, in order to understand each other better in the long term.
“We have to all get to know each other first. Then we’ll have a look at which areas we might need to improve in.”
There is growing pressure on Lee Charnley and company as Newcastle look set to be the only club not to sign a player this transfer window, with fellow transfer strugglers Crystal Palace agreeing a £12.8million deal with old fan favourite Yohan Cabaye, just to rub salt into the wounds of impatient fans.
Matip, Austin and Wijnaldum are understood to be our top transfer targets, with Ivan Toney of Northampton looking keen on a move to Tyneside.
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