Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Newcastle plot explosive double deal for £60m Arsenal target and ex-PSG star amid Howe instruction

Kingsley Coman and Mitchel Bakker

Newcastle United could land two stars from the same European team this summer, one of them being a former Paris Saint-Germain player and the other being an Arsenal target valued at around £60million.

Newcastle have had a successful season under Eddie Howe, reaching the Carabao Cup final and putting themselves in a great position to qualify for European football. They ultimately lost the Wembley visit to Manchester United, but this defeat will instil a hunger into the players to never lose a final again.

The Magpies currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League. They are just four points behind Tottenham, who occupy fourth spot, and boast two games in hand on Antonio Conte’s side.

Newcastle’s massive financial backing means they must be considered as genuine contenders for Champions League qualification, both this season and in future years.

However, Howe knows how hard it will be to continue on their upward trajectory given the fierce competition for positions. Therefore, he has told the Newcastle hierarchy to bring in several high-quality players in the summer.

And it looks like the manager wants a new left-back and left winger to bolster his team. According to 90Min, Newcastle have reignited their interest in Bayer Leverkusen defender Mitchel Bakker.

READ MORE: Newcastle, Leicester, Wolves ready to pounce on major bargain opportunity with Bundesliga ‘leader’ available on free transfer

Newcastle targeted the Dutchman last summer but ultimately could not reach an agreement with Leverkusen.

Things will be different this time around though, as Newcastle will either be able to boast Champions League or Europa League football. Leverkusen, in contrast, are languishing in ninth place in the German top flight. Seemingly the only way they will be able to make European qualification is by winning this season’s Europa League, but that will be very tough.

Newcastle can offer Leverkusen man step up

Newcastle hope that Bakker will push for a move to St James’ Park if Leverkusen cannot offer him European football.

He would be a great signing for Howe to revamp his left-back options. The 22-year-old boasts great pedigree, having come through Ajax’s academy and then played for PSG.

Bakker would be a step up on current left-backs Dan Burn and Matt Targett. He is more energetic than those two full-backs and would be able to put up more assists for his team-mates by getting involved in attacks.

And Bakker is not the only Leverkusen ace being tipped to join Howe’s squad. 90Min claim Newcastle are also back in the mix for left winger Moussa Diaby.

He is an electric wide forward who has notched 12 goals and seven assists this campaign.

Arsenal are long-term admirers of Diaby and have lined him up as a potential summer addition. But Newcastle are confident of getting him themselves, setting up an intriguing transfer tussle.

Leverkusen value the Frenchman at €70m (£61m). This price should not be an issue for Newcastle or Arsenal.

Bakker will not cost as much as this given his position and the fact he is slightly less important to the Leverkusen team. However, Leverkusen are still protected by his contract, which runs until June 2025, so he will not move to Newcastle on the cheap.

Meanwhile, Tottenham and Newcastle are vying for the capture of a Leeds United player, according to reports.