Newcastle United’s summer transfer plans have taken an unexpected turn as they express interest in acquiring Wolfsburg midfielder Felix Nmecha.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, previously linked with Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund, is rumored to have a price tag of approximately £15 million, according to The Telegraph.
This sudden pursuit of Nmecha seems to be a spontaneous decision by Newcastle, as he was not initially included in their list of summer targets.
Nevertheless, the club has dispatched scouts to monitor the German international on multiple occasions, indicating a growing interest in his talents.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who recently turned 45, has been allocated a transfer budget of £75 million. However, he can increase this amount to £100 million only if he approves player sales.
Despite the financial constraints, Howe is determined to bolster his squad with at least two high-profile signings during the summer transfer window. Sitting at the top of his wish list is James Maddison from Leicester City.
However, Newcastle will face fierce competition from Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of the English international. Maddison, expected to depart from King Power Stadium this summer, is likely to command a fee of no less than £40 million.
Howe recognizes Maddison’s potential and hopes to bring him to St James’ Park, but it remains to be seen whether the financial limitations will pose a hindrance in securing the talented midfielder.
A Glance at Nmecha’s career
Felix Nmecha’s football journey began in the youth ranks of Manchester City.
Unfortunately, he struggled to establish himself within the club’s first-team setup, prompting his departure on a free transfer to Wolfsburg in the summer of 2021.
His debut season in the Bundesliga proved underwhelming, contributing only one assist in 18 appearances across all competitions.
However, Nmecha displayed significant progress in the following campaign. He scored three goals and provided six assists in 32 games, helping Niko Kovac’s side come close to securing a European berth, missing out by a solitary point.
His versatility allows him to operate effectively in attacking positions or drop into a central midfield role.
This adaptable style of play has reportedly captured the attention of Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who sees Nmecha as a valuable addition to his squad.
