Matthias Jaissle Al Ahli 2025
REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari via Action Images
Newcastle United were said to have reached out to former Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka over a possible deal before he agreed to join Aston Villa. The Magpies have had a tough summer so far, losing plenty of quality between Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali to big-money deals.
Newcastle have tried to replace those players, with Bazoumana Traore, Amar Dedic, Aladji Bamba, Lukas Hornicek, Sean Steur and Ewan Jaouen all snapped up this summer, but the Magpies were already coming into this summer needing to improve following a disappointing season. Replacing those players and taking a big step forward is going to be hard to pull off, and it may be a big part of the reason Eddie Howe ultimately decided to walk away.
But Matthias Jaissle is now in place, and the club are hoping to give the new boss the best chance of returning to the European spots. A big part of that is going to be recruitment, and Newcastle could certainly do with more depth in the midfield.
According to TeamTalk, they were considering turning to former Bayern Munich midfielder Goretzka, who was available on a free transfer after he allowed his contract to expire.
The 31-year-old is likely to have wanted a big wage, which may explain why he remained a free agent for so long, although there was still said to be plenty of interest. But Villa have now won the race, agreeing a deal with the midfielder.
Goretzka, who was in the Germany World Cup squad this summer, made more than 200 league appearances for Bayern over his eight-year stay, winning seven Bundesliga titles, a Champions League title and many others.
Goretzka's impressive list of achievements
8 Bundesliga titles
3 DFB-Pokal titles
4 German Supercup titles
1 Champions League title
1 UEFA Super Cup
1 Club World Cup
2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
Silver Olympic medal
Newcastle have missed an opportunity
Leon Goretzka
Leon Goretzka
Newcastle are sorely lacking in experience going into this season. The loss of Guimaraes and Tonali is going to take time to get over as the new players look to find their feet. With the likes of Kieran Tripper having also left the club in recent times, the Magpies could have done with a player like Goretzka to be an experienced leaders and set the tone in games and on the training pitch.
The Magpies have long spoken about financial challenges of sealing big deals in relation to Financial Fair Play rules, but here they had the chance to sign real top-class player without breaking the bank, and even with high wages, they could have offered a shorter contract given he is 31 years of age. It's the type of signing that can really help an inexperienced manager as he looks to aclimatise to a new league, and while Villa may have more clout currently, also able to offer Champions League football, Goretzka has been on the market since January, in reality.
Goretzka leaves an impressive body of work behind at Bayern
Leon Goretzka
Leon Goretzka
Before Goretzka departed Bayern early in the summer, Vincent Kompany said: “Leon has always been an important player at Bayern and always showed what it means to be an absolute professional and to fight.”
Germany legend Lothar Matthäus has said previously: "The changes of pace, the runs into the box, the strength in challenges. Leon is always an important player for the team, not only at Bayern, but for the national team.”
Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle watches on
Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle watches on