- Newcastle United hold initial talks with Kacper Potulski
- Polish defender has just changed his agency
- Mainz defender also wanted by Borussia Dortmund
Newcastle United aren’t expected to make too many changes to their central defensive options this summer, although they will remain on the lookout for market opportunities.
Sky Germany report that the Magpies are ‘specifically interested’ in signing Kacper Potulski, who has delivered a string of assured displays at the back for Bundesliga outfit Mainz.
The defender has also been called up by Poland despite being just 18, so Newcastle United fans will keep a keen eye on him as talks of a transfer intensify.
Newcastle United hold initial talks with Kacper Potulski
The likes of Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are already at the club.
However, with two of the aforementioned defenders approaching the twilight years of their careers and Botman struggling with injuries, the Magpies’ targeting of a central defender doesn’t really come as a surprise.
Sky Germany claim that Newcastle United are specifically interested in signing Potulski, although the defender doesn’t have a release clause in his contract or an asking price.
He’s tied down at Mainz until 2028, so the upcoming transfer window promises to be an interesting one for him as teams across the continent continue to chase him.
The report also states that Potulski recently changed his agency, with Borussia Dortmund also vying for his signature.
While this could be just another move to further his career, players usually seek fresh representation when transfer interest builds, so it could well be a case of a move being on the cards.
Who is Kacper Potulski?
Potulski signed for Mainz as a 15-year-old in 2023 and made a lot of appearances for the age group sides before being promoted to the senior squad.
He featured 23 times for the Bundesliga side across all competitions and has already been capped twice by Poland. In fact, Potulski scored his first goal for his country two weeks ago, becoming their fourth youngest goalscorer in history.
Despite being just 18, he is a towering figure, standing at 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) tall.
Former Polish international Tomasz Hajto, who represented Schalke back in the day, reserved huge praise for the youngster earlier this season after his commanding displays at the back in the Bundesliga.
“I see very great potential in Kacper Potulski. Mainz could one day earn €30 million for him, but he needs to play.
“According to my contacts, several teams in Germany already have him on their radar – like Leverkusen and Dortmund. But clubs from England and Italy are also interested,” Hajto said via BuLi News.
Mainz sporting director Niko Bungert doubled down on those claims, referring to the 18-year-old as the future of the club.
“Kacper is the future. He has incredible quality and will feature regularly for us going forward. I am certain of that.”
Newcastle have agreed a deal to sign Ewen Jaouen, and their pursuit of Potulski is proof that they won’t shy away from paying big fees for young players with huge potential.
Poland aren’t at the World Cup and his contract expires in two years, so it remains to be seen if they press ahead with their interest after making initial contact with his representatives.
