Newcastle United's search for a new midfield leader has accelerated in recent days as the club looks to reshape its squad following another summer of high-profile departures.
Now, after weeks of speculation over Borussia Dortmund's Felix Nmecha, the Magpies appear to have made their first concrete move, with Sky Sports Germany reporting that Newcastle have progressed beyond admiration by opening talks and preparing an official bid.
According to Sky Sports' Patrick Berger and Nico Ditter, Newcastle have already held "initial discussions with the player's representatives" and now "intend to make an offer to Borussia Dortmund" for the Germany international.
The report comes just days after L'Equipe identified Nmecha as Newcastle's preferred replacement for Bruno Guimaraes.
"The English club's management is now making progress in bringing in a replacement for the Brazilian," the French outlet reported. "For several weeks, a clear target has been identified: Felix Nmecha (25 years old), under contract with Dortmund until 2030. The financial details of the negotiations between Newcastle and Dortmund have not been disclosed, but the English club is already aware of all of the German side's demands in this matter."
Any deal, however, would be one of the toughest Newcastle could attempt this summer. Dortmund's new sporting director Nils-Ole Book made the Bundesliga club's stance crystal clear.
"I would consider that extremely unlikely," Book told Sky Sport. "Of course, astronomical sums are always theoretically possible, but I think I can pretty much rule that out with Felix Nmecha this summer."
Sky adds that Dortmund would only be prepared to negotiate if an offer exceeded €100-120 million, while revealing another previously undisclosed detail: Nmecha had a release clause this summer, but it has already expired, and a new €80 million release clause will not become active until next summer.
The report also notes Newcastle have admired Nmecha for years, with former manager Eddie Howe a "big fan" of the midfielder. Whether new head coach Matthias Jaissle shares that enthusiasm remains unclear.
With Newcastle reportedly generating huge funds from recent player sales, having already raised around £250 million, the club now appears ready to test Dortmund's resolve. Whether the Magpies are willing to reach the Bundesliga side's extraordinary valuation is an entirely different matter.
Do you think Nmecha is worth breaking the bank for, or should Newcastle pursue a different Bruno Guimaraes replacement? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
