A goalkeeper Newcastle United recently made an enquiry about has commented on his future, suggesting his time may be up at his current club.
The Magpies are looking to add more quality to their roster ahead of the 2025/26 season, which sees them return to European competition after missing out on it this campaign.
However, it still remains to be seen which competition Newcastle United will be playing in next season. Fans are hoping it will be the Champions League, but Eddie Howe’s side could still fall into the Europa League places if they fail to beat Everton on the final day of the season.
Should Newcastle fail to qualify for the Champions League, it would completely change Paul Mitchell’s recruitment strategy. Newcastle will sign younger players for Europe if they only manage to qualify for the Europa League, but will look to bring in more established names if they play in the Champions League next season.
The feeling is that Newcastle need the Champions League to sign their top targets anyway, so Sunday’s game is crucial.
As Mitchell gets ready to bring new players to Tyneside this summer, a goalkeeper who recently played in the Champions League final has commented on his future.
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Borussia Dortmund shot-stopper Gregor Kobel is recognised as one of the world’s best goalkeepers at the moment, but things have not gone well for his side in the Bundesliga this season. Three managers and a disappointing fourth-placed finish mean that the club needs to reduce their wage bill.
In April, Newcastle made contact with Kobel, with his agent reportedly heading to London for talks with the club. An exit from the German giants was likely then, but now his recent comments suggest he is ready for the next chapter of his career.
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Speaking to German outlet Bild, Kobel was asked about his future in Dortmund.
“I don’t comment on such things. It was important to me that we were in the Champions League, because this club simply belongs in the Champions League,” he said.
“It’s been four incredible years here. The Champions League final, almost winning the championship, and this year it’s been a completely different season. It was definitely exciting, and it never got boring…”
If that was the end for Kobel at Dortmund, he ended it on a high by keeping a clean sheet in a 3-0 win against Holstein Kiel.
Gregor Kobel played against Newcastle United in 2023
With Kobel seemingly ready to call it a day at Dortmund, it begs the question of what will happen to the likes of Nick Pope and James Trafford.
Pope is linked with a move to Leeds United, while Trafford has just secured promotion to the Premier League with Burnley, but looks set to join Newcastle this summer after nearly completing a move in 2024.
Gregor Kobel 2024/25 Bundesliga Statistics
Appearances 32
Clean Sheets 47
Goals Conceded 7
Kobel will be well aware of what Newcastle can offer him, and has even experienced the iconic St James’ Park atmosphere first hand when Dortmund played Newcastle in the Champions League last season.
The 27-year-old kept a clean sheet in both games he played against the Magpies that season, with Dortmund winning 1-0 at St James’ Park and 2-0 at the Signal Iduna Park.