The latest transfer talk from Newcastle United as the Magpies look to make their second signing of the summer transfer window.
German outlet Bild have claimed the Magpies are one of three Premier League clubs that are ‘intensely’ following Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Touré after he enjoyed an impressive season in the Bundesliga. Toure scored five goals and provided 12 assists in 30 league appearances for Hoffenheim as they secured a place in next season’s Europa League with a fifth placed finish in German football’s top tier. That form saw Toure called up to the Ivory Coast squad for this summer’s World Cup finals and he will hope to add to his five caps as the Elephants face Germany, Ecuador and debutants Curacao in the group stage of the tournament.
However, Toure’s future at club level has dominated the buildup to the finals and the report from Bild has suggested Newcastle will face competition from Manchester United and Brentford should they make a move for the winger. All three clubs are said to be impressed with the 20-year-old’s ‘extreme pace and carefreeness’ - but there is also a warning Toure has a long contract that has committed him to Hoffenheim until the summer of 2029 and that agreement does not contain a release clause.
Speaking in April, Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker opened up on Toure’s future, telling Sky Deutschland: “Bazou has developed very well. We brought him from Sweden a year and a half ago. You can see week after week what qualities he brings. With him it’s like this: if there is interest – and it’s noticeable because he delivers every week – then it has to be at a level that Hoffenheim has not seen before,”
Despite Schicker’s comments and the lack of release clause in Toure’s contract, Bild also claim Hoffenheim will find it difficult to retain the services of their ‘jewel’ should Newcastle, Manchester United or Brentford make a serious move for his services during the summer transfer window.
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