Long-term Newcastle United target Joel Matip is eager to quit FC Schalke 04, in order to fulfil his dream of playing Premier League football.
Matip was one of the Magpies’ priority defensive targets over the summer, however, despite intense speculation, a move to St James’ Park never materialised.
The Cameroon international is out of contract at the end of the season and German newspaper BILD report that the 24-year-old is reluctant to sign a new deal with the Bundesliga side, after growing disillusioned with life at the Veltins-Arena.
Speaking to BILD, Schalke general manager Horst Heldt confirmed that the talented defender is stalling on putting pen to paper with the Miners:
It (contract extension) depends. From our side everything is clear but Joel wants to await developments at Schalke.
Newcastle will enter the second phase of their three window plan to rebuild the squad in January, and the Magpies will be looking to significantly strengthen their ranks, after a dire start to the campaign has left them lingering at the foot of the table.
The news that Matip is considering his club future will put the Tynesiders on red-alert and the Newcastle hierarchy could sanction a big-money move for the highly-rated Schalke stalwart to bolster Steve McClaren’s leaky defence.
