Newcastle United

Newcastle United: Interest in Thomas Muller could be trouble for Dwight Gayle

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Image for Newcastle United: Interest in Thomas Muller could be trouble for Dwight Gayle

Newcastle United managed to spend just shy of £100 million during the January transfer window, with PIF flexing their financial muscles – and plans for the summer appear to be in motion.

It has been reported by Christian Falk (via Sport Witness) that both Newcastle and Everton are set to hold an interest in Thomas Muller, who is now into the final 18 months of his Bayern Munich deal, and at 32 years old, it remains to be seen whether or not the Bavarian side are willing to offer him a new contract.

Would Muller start for Newcastle?

Yes!

Yes!

No!

No!

But what could a Muller arrival at St. James’ Park mean for the club?

PIF to land a marquee signing?

While Muller’s age could be a big red flag for PIF and Newcastle, he would certainly be a big marquee signing that would arguably generate interest across Europe if the Magpies were able to attract someone that has won almost everything there is to be won during his playing career.

The Magpies have proved that despite their precarious league position, some players are drawn in by the potential of the club under the new owners and the project they are starting, with England and Brazil internationals Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes joining the relegation battlers in January

So it is not impossible to imagine that if Newcastle can get away from the relegation zone, they could have themselves a World Cup and Champions League winner on their books.

Despite being 32, there’s no doubt Muller still has a lot to offer, as he ranks among the top scorers in the Bundesliga, has started the most games within the Bayern squad and has racked up the second-most touches in the opposition’s penalty box (as per FBRef).

He clearly has no interest in taking a back seat during the twilight years of his career, and he could be a smart move for the Toon both in football terms and from a PR perspective by getting overseas fans interested in Newcastle.

Trouble for fringe Newcastle attacker?

Muller is quite a unique player and has been throughout his career, as he can play in numerous positions such as striker, second striker, attacking midfielder and also out on the right wing, which would provide sufficient and top-level competition across the frontline for Newcastle and Eddie Howe.

However, someone who may not appreciate this is Dwight Gayle, who saw Chris Wood arrive last month and push him further down the pecking order, with both the New Zealand international and Callum Wilson ahead of him.

But if a player of Muller’s ability and pedigree was to arrive, then Gayle could almost kiss his Magpies career away.

This is because since Newcastle were promoted back into the Premier League in 2017, the striker has netted just 11 Premier League goals in 77 league appearances. Compare that to Muller, who has 10 goals across all competitions just this season in a Bayern Munich side that is littered with star players.

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Newcastle PL appearances quiz! This man is the all-time top Premier League appearance maker for Newcastle, but how many did he make?

It’s not just Gayle’s goal output that may put his future at risk, it’s that he’s seemingly not good enough for this standard of football, given he’s never managed to achieve above a 6.49 WhoScored rating for the season while playing in the Premier League, but he seems to thrive in the Championship, with 7.07 and 7.11 ratings during his previous two campaigns at that level.

So if the Magpies could get Gayle out the door and replace him with a regular starter for Bayern Munich, it really would show that they mean business.

In other news: ‘Very sad’ – George Caulkin gutted by Newcastle news emerging from SJP

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