Newcastle United have endured one of the toughest summer transfer windows in club history. Just look at what has been lost over the past few months. Firstly, it was Anthony Gordon joining FC Barcelona. That was followed up by Sandro Tonali’s move to Tottenham Hotspur. Eddie Howe then decided to walk away in the middle of pre-season. And finally, in what was the symbolic ending of an era for the Magpies, club captain Bruno Guimaraes joined Arsenal.
That is quality, experience and leadership, all lost at once. Replacing even one would have been tough. All three, and it feels almost impossible.
So, Newcastle United might need to be smart about this and try to replace whatever factors they can, instead of going after like-for-like replacements for each individual.
The midfield department is under the microscope right now. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is believed to have turned down a move to Newcastle United. The club’s alternative target, Joao Palhinha, is said to have agreed personal terms with Aston Villa. So, the Magpies need to seek another veteran midfielder available in this window. How about someone who is a free agent?
Leon Goretzka to Newcastle United?
Leon Goretzka has been suggested as a ‘shrewd’ signing for Newcastle United this summer. Jack Cunningham of talkSPORT explained:
Goretzka might seem like a reach, but he’s available on a free and has that experience Newcastle United are crying out for.
Over 300 Bundesliga appearances and over 70 in the Champions League.
He isn’t a six, but he is still a top-tier box-to-box midfielder, and I think it would be a very clever and shrewd piece of business with no transfer fee involved, adding presence and class to the middle of the park.
Would signing Goretzka be a smart move for Newcastle United? Most probably. He is still 31 years of age and has made over 300 appearances for Bayern Munich.
This summer, he is available as a free agent. Now, many might claim that he has not been the same Goretzka in recent times, which is why Bayern Munich were comfortable letting him go.
There is merit to that for sure. But at the same time, let us not forget that he still played 48 games for Bayern Munich even last season. It is not like he was in the reserves.
Will Newcastle be getting the best version of Goretzka? No. But they would be getting a Champions League winner for free, who would a lot in terms of experience as well.
Can Newcastle sign Goretzka?
This might be the bigger question here. Nobody can deny that Newcastle United have had a tough time convincing players to move to St James’ Park this summer.
Hojgjerg was the latest to turn the chance down. But he is not the only one. Victor Munoz ended up joining Liverpool. Johan Manzambi picked Aston Villa even after Newcastle United had gone to the trouble of agreeing a deal with SC Freiburg.
So, convincing Goretzka to end up joining Newcastle United, with no European football to offer, might be a tough task. Never say never though.
