Newcastle transfer news: Improved bid expected for Mitchel Bakker to cast doubt on recent signing

Newcastle United could make a fresh attempt to sign Mitchel Bakker from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, according to a report from Germany.

Bakker was on the radar of the newly-rich Newcastle United during the January transfer window. However, in his left-back position, they settled for the signing of Matt Targett on loan from Aston Villa instead.

However, it is not yet clear if they will keep Targett on a permanent basis. Instead, they could send him back to Aston Villa and find a different target of their own.

In doing so, they could revert their attention to Bakker, according to Bild.

The German source suggests Newcastle United could increase the offer they had rejected in January. It is claimed they put €20million (just under £16.9m) on the table for the Netherlands under-21 international.

Now, they would be willing to raise their bid to €25m (just under £21.1m). If accepted, that would make him their third most expensive signing of the Saudi era, after Bruno Guimaraes and Chris Wood.

It would also represent good business for Bayer Leverkusen, who only bought him a year ago. They spent up to €10m (£8.4m) to take him from Paris Saint-Germain.

In the time since, Bakker has amassed 28 appearances for his German employers. He has rewarded them with one goal and four assists.

Bayer Leverkusen have the 21-year-old under contract until 2025. However, there may be more of a temptation now to cash in, even though they look likely to be competing in the Champions League next season.

Newcastle will not, but their ambitious owners are putting the foundations in place for them to progress. A top-half finish is not beyond the realms of possibility this season, which would have seemed unthinkable half a year ago.

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