Newcastle in talks to sign highly-rated 21-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid

Newcastle United are edging closer to their third signing of the January transfer window, as they look to complete a move for highly rated youngster Mitchel Bakker from Bayer Leverkusen.

Standing at 6 foot plus, the defender has also been deployed as a centre-back.

If completed, the deal for Bakker could amount to up to £14.5 million, and give much needed depth and competition for Jamal Lewis at left-back.

It hasn’t quite been the explosive January transfer window Newcastle fans were hoping for, with only Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood snapped up by Howe, although sensational moves for Diego Carlos and Ousmane Dembele are still possible.

It’s no secret that Howe has been prioritising the left-back position, after failing to secure Lucas Digne’s signature, as the Frenchman ended up joining Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa.

And now, Newcastle have switched their attention to another former PSG left-back.

Who is Mitchel Bakker?

He is probably unknown to a lot of football fans, but at 21, his CV is impressive.

The Dutchman joined the famed Ajax academy when he was just 10 years old, and stayed there for 7 years before graduating to the Ajax B team - Jong Ajax. He played 37 games for Jong Ajax in 2 years, and never made a first team appearance for the main team before leaving.

French giants Paris-Saint Germain then signed the then 19-year-old on a free, immediately giving him four year contract. After signing for the Parisians in July 2019, he made his debut for them 6 months later in January 2020.

PSG started to instil more trust in the youngster, and On 15 June, Bakker was nominated for the European Golden boy, being one of three PSG players in the 100-player shortlist; he was later included in the list of the top 20 candidates. The award is very prestigious in Europe, and has been previously been won by the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.

Just last October, Bakker played at highest level as he made his Champions League debut, as he came on as a substitute in a 2-1 loss to Manchester United. He also started a Champions League game for the club, in another loss, this time to Manchester City.

After over 40 appearances in all competitions for PSG, Bakker then moved to Bayer Leverkusen for around £8.5 million.

He is a currently part of the under-21 set up for the Netherlands.

With his height, combined with good pace he can be a threat going forward from set pieces and balls in to Wood, but is also defensively solid.