Newcastle won’t sign Axel Witsel despite reports

Newcastle United are expected to sign a defensive-midfielder this summer as Isaac Hayden has been sidelined for half the season with injury and Bruno Guimaraes looks more effective higher up the pitch.

The Magpies have lucrative funds for new arrivals so they’re naturally being link with dozens of players, but the latest egregious rumour is TuttoJuve suggesting Newcastle will make a move for Axel Witsel this summer.

The 32-year-old is out of contract at Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season and will be leaving on a free transfer. Witsel has made 39 appearances in his final campaign, scoring two goals.  

The 6ft 1in Belgian international has completed 93% of his passes (43.7 per game), won 31/48 aerial duels (64.5%), made 36 clearances, been dribbled past (12) only once every 148 minutes and averaged a tackle (36) or interception (27) every 28 minutes, so he would improve the Newcastle midfield.

Witsel’s wages may be a problem, however, as TuttoJuve say he’s earning €7m-a-year/€134k-per-week (£5.9m-a-year/£113k-per-week) in Germany but may not accept less than €10m-a-year/€192k-per-week (£8.5m-a-year/£163k-per-week). That would make him Newcastle’s highest earner, which would be a big risk for a 33-year-old playing in England for the first time.

Witsel is a talented player, but the Magpies may be better off turning their attention elsewhere.

In other news, Eddie Howe’s tactical change is bad news for Chris Wood’s future