Werder Bremen are expecting to sort out goalkeeper Mio Backhaus’ future in the next 14 days, and Newcastle United is a likely destination.
BILD report that the 22-year-old is expected to leave Werder Bremen soon after impressing for the German side this season.
Premier League the ‘hottest lead’
The newspaper explains that Werder Bremen’s survival in the Bundesliga this season was largely due to Mio Backhaus’ performances.
The youngster started the season as a back-up, but when Michael Zetterer was sold to Eintracht Frankfurt, then-head coach Horst Steffen gave him the number one shirt. That was a decision he did not come to regret.
Instead, Backhaus justified it with strong performances and now there are increasing signs that he will leave after one season. According to BILD, the transfer should be finalised within the next 14 days.
Clubs in Italy had expressed an interested but the ‘hottest lead’ points to the Premier League. Newcastle United are already established as having an interest, but Brighton have registered their interest in recent weeks. That potentially gives Backhaus two options in England.
€12m valuation
Mio Backhaus is currently valued at €12m, so he is not an expensive target either. Talks are expected to be held after he returns from an end of season trip to Ibiza with his teammates.
The plan is to return from that trip with a clear head and thoughts about what his next step will be. With Newcastle and Brighton in the picture, he might have a tough decision to make.
There is also interest from Freiburg to consider. Although they have certain conditions before moving. First, they need to sell Noah Atubolu. They also need to qualify for the Champions League by beating Aston Villa in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
That, it seems, would put them behind Newcastle and Brighton, particularly with reports already crediting the Magpies with an interest last week.
Now BILD believe a deal will be done in the next 14 days, suggesting work has already taken place behind the scenes.
