Newcastle United ‘bumper’ offer revealed before agreeing £26m deal
The latest transfer talk from Newcastle United as reports in Germany suggest the Magpies made a summer move for a Borussia Dortmund star.
Newcastle United reportedly made a move for a Champions League goalkeeper before completing a deal for current first choice stopper Lukas Hornicek.
With the future of former number one Nick Pope up in the air and loan signing Aaron Ramsdale returning to parent club Southampton, it always seemed inevitable the Magpies would look to improve their goalkeeping options during the summer transfer window. A £25.7m deal was agreed with Portuguese club Braga as Czech stopper Hornicek became United’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window in a deal that was finalised just hours before Matthias Jaissle’s appointment as new Magpies head coach was confirmed.
Speaking after penning a long-term deal at St James Park, Hornicek said: "It's a brilliant opportunity in a new league, which I'm very excited about. From the very first moment I arrived here, I received a fantastic welcome and really felt the warmth of the club. Everyone has been brilliant in helping me settle in. I know Newcastle is a huge football city, with 52,000 fans at St James' Park creating an incredible atmosphere and pushing the team every game. I can't wait to play in front of them."
However, reports in Germany have suggested United made a firm move for Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel prior to Hornicek’s arrival. A report in SportBild, as per SportWitness, has suggested the Magpies placed the Swiss international at the top of their list and made a ‘concrete contract’ to Kobel that would have handed him an increase of £2.5m on his annual salary with the Bundesliga giants.
Kobel is said to have rejected the approach from Newcastle due to his uncertainty over the ‘sporting outlook’ at St James Park and he will now look to secure a new deal with Dortmund as his current contract will come to a close at the end of next season. The 28-year-old has remained a permanent fixture in their side this season after making 15 appearances in all competitions and his performances in goal have ensured Niko Kovac’s side have remained unbeaten in 11 domestic league and cup games during the opening months of the campaign.
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