Newcastle United are plotting a major summer overhaul, with a new goalkeeper and an exciting young winger top of Eddie Howe’s wishlist .
The Magpies have set their sights on Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel to upgrade between the sticks, while 19 year old FC Koln sensation Said El Mala is being watched as an attacking reinforcement .
THE KOBEL UPGRADE
Nick Pope has been a fine servant since arriving from Burnley for £10m in 2022, but the numbers don’t lie, it’s time for an upgrade .
Kobel, 28, has outperformed Pope in every key department this season. Eleven clean sheets compared to Pope’s seven. A 74.2% pass completion rate, dwarfing Pope’s 61.2%. A 70% save percentage against Pope’s 67%. And crucially, zero errors leading to goals, while the Englishman has made three .
The Swiss international is also yet to make an error leading to a goal this campaign, while Pope has made three. All the evidence suggests it’s time for Howe to get ruthless.
Dortmund’s No.1 is under contract until 2028 and has insisted he’s “very comfortable” in Germany, telling Sport Bild: “I know what I have here, this club, these fans, the Yellow Wall, this power with 25,000 fans behind you. It’s something very special” .
But Newcastle have the financial muscle to test that resolve, especially with Champions League football potentially on the line.
THE EL MALA FACTOR
The Magpies have also sent scouts to watch Said El Mala, the 19 year old Koln winger enjoying a breakout Bundesliga campaign .
Eight goals and four assists this season. Lightning pace. Vincent Kompany called him out after Bayern faced Koln: “This kid has this initial acceleration and then a second burst of speed. That surprises many defenders. He can shoot from that high speed” .
Brighton had a €30m (£25m) bid rejected in January. Now Newcastle and Chelsea are circling . Koln have tied him down until 2030 with no release clause, so any deal would be a negotiation .
The teenager recently changed agents, his parents Sabrina and Mohammed now handle his career which could smooth a potential move .
THE ATTACKING NEED
Newcastle’s frontline needs fresh impetus. Record signing Nick Woltemade has struggled for consistency, and while Harvey Barnes has the left wing spot sewn up, competition is needed .
If Anthony Gordon moves centrally or, heaven forbid, attracts interest from Liverpool again, El Mala could be the ideal replacement. At 19, he fits the profile of high potential talent the recruitment team favour.
THE VERDICT
Kobel solves a problem. El Mala adds depth and future star quality. Both would cost serious money, Dortmund won’t let their keeper go cheap, and Koln have the teenager tied down long term.
But with Champions League football a possibility and the ambition to become a consistent European force, these are the kind of statements Newcastle need to make.
