Newcastle United have reportedly now made 'official enquiries' over Mitchel Bakker ahead of a potential move before the January transfer window shuts.
The Lowdown: Defence needs work
The St. James' Park faithful did well to bring in Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid earlier on in the window to fill the right-back position, but now they need to strengthen in the centre of defence and at left-back.
They have conceded no fewer than 43 goals in the Premier League so far this season, the second-most behind Norwich City, and so the defence needs to be tightened if they have any hopes of avoiding relegation down to the Championship.
Bakker is a player who is comfortable at centre-back and left-back, and so it is no surprise to see the North East club strongly linked with him.
The Latest: Bakker enquiries
Craig Hope reported this week that a deal looks 'unlikely', but according to De Telegraaf (via Sport Witness), the Tyneside outfit have now made 'official enquiries' with regards to a potential move for Bakker, and he has 'been informed' of their interest.
Bayer Leverkusen are apparently asking for a price of €12m (£10m) to let him go, lower than the £16m tag first reported by Hope, and if a deal is agreed, this report claims the player would be 'willing' to discuss terms with Eddie Howe and the Magpies.
The Verdict: Bargain
If the new owners can get Bakker in for just £10m, then it would certainly be a bargain.
He is playing at a high level in the Bundesliga, having also played for established European clubs in PSG and Ajax, and at 21 years of age, he still has so much potential left to fulfil.
Described as someone who has ‘pace and strength’ as well as ‘footballing ability’ (via The Chronicle) by Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller, Bakker has everything needed already for a modern day full-back, and the fact that he can play at centre-half too makes the deal a no-brainer for the Toon, who are in desperate need of both.
In other news, find out what big transfer twist involving two NUFC targets has emerged here!