German chief aims dig at Chelsea target that Newcastle United have made ‘approached’ to sign

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzk appears to have taken a subtle dig at Newcastle United target Youssoufa Moukoko as his contract situation rumbles on.

The 18-year-old is out-of-contract at the Bundesliga club in the summer, meaning European clubs are able to sign Moukoko on a pre-contract agreement.

Newcastle, according to the Evening Standard, have made a “substantial verbal approach” for the exciting striker, who is also attracting interest from Chelsea and La Liga giants Barcelona.

Wages of £150,000-a-week have been reported, a figure Dortmund are unable to match during their own negotiations.

Reacting to the speculation, Watzk has seemingly taken aim at Moukoko after talking about gratitude and loyalty.

“I started 18 years ago with the proviso that there might be a little gratitude from time to time, but I’ve given up on that a long time ago,” Watzke told Sky Sport Germany.

“Gratitude is not a currency in professional football. Sadly, that really is the case. But I won’t hold that against anyone, because the business is simply the way it is.

“I don’t think the whole process is very normal. The difference is that he’s 18 years old now and he was at the World Cup and that makes it even more public.

“It’s totally legitimate that he is now trying to get a good position for himself. But it is also legitimate that we have our own ideas.

“If they do not coincide then the cooperation will not be continued. That is the ultimate consequence – but of course, we hope that he will stay with us.”

Moukoko has scored six goals in 14 Bundesliga appearances this season, which earned him a call-up to Germany’s World Cup squad.