Newcastle United given intriguing update on future of £42m-rated Aston Villa and Bayern Munich transfer target

Newcastle United have been given an intriguing update on one reported target as the Magpies look to strengthen their options in wide areas.

It is expected to be a hectic summer transfer window for the St James Park hierarchy as they look to move on from the disappointment of missing out on a place in European football for the second successive season. After completing a permanent deal for Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall and a free transfer agreement for Bournemouth’s versatile defender Lloyd Kelly, United are currently plotting their next move in the transfer market.

Talks remain ongoing with Burnley over a £15m deal for England Under-21 goalkeeper James Trafford and there are hopes a deal can be concluded over the next two weeks. United are also said to be keen on adding another defender to their squad and are considering a move for a versatile striker to add further competition to Alexander Isak after he carried the brunt of their attacking responsibility throughout last season.

Speculation over the future of winger Miguel Almiron has continued in recent weeks after transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano suggested a number of Saudi Pro League clubs were ready to reignite their interest in the Paraguay international after a deal failed to come to fruition during the January transfer window. He posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Miguel Almiron's future remains open ahead of the summer transfer window. After Saudi Pro League move collapsed in January, more clubs are showing interest in the midfielder. Newcastle, open to selling Almiron in case of good proposal due to Financial Fair Play situation.”

A decision over the long-term future of Yankuba Minteh will also be made after the young winger enjoyed a productive season-long loan spell with Dutch giants Feyenoord last season. There have been suggestions the Magpies could authorise a permanent departure for the Gambia international as they continue their battle with Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations.

Newcastle have been linked with a number of wingers including Leeds United forward Crysencio Summerville, West Ham United and England star Jarrod Bowen and Juventus youngster Matias Soule. There have also been reports in Germany suggesting the Magpies retain an interest in Mainz winger Brajan Gruda after he scored four goals and provided three assists in 29 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit last season. The likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig have all been linked with the Germany Under-21 international and Mainz manager Christian Heidel has already given an insight into how he views the future of one of his prized assets.

He told German outlet Bild: "We would only consider letting him go this year if we received a truly exceptional offer. Should he say that he wants to stay in Mainz no matter what? That would be pretty stupid, because he doesn't know what might happen at the moment.”

The same outlet have now provided a further update on Gruda’s future after reporting Aston Villa are now monitoring the progress of the winger and have suggested ‘things could get serious’ and ‘could happen very quickly’ as the race for the £42m-rated youngster continues to gather pace.