‘Important’ - Newcastle United transfer target has already given major update on Bundesliga future
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Newcastle United latest news: Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has been linked with a move to St James’ Park this summer.
Gregor Kobel has emerged as a potential target for Newcastle United this summer if they look to strengthen their goalkeeping department.
The Borussia Dortmund stopper, according to the Daily Mail, has been admired by the club for some time and would be a ‘low risk’ option for them this summer. Kobel has bags of experience in the Bundesliga, Champions League and at international level and would likely be able to seamlessly slip into the starting XI, despite his lack of Premier League experience.
Manchester City’s James Trafford has long been a target for them, with his performances in their three cup meetings this season showing just why they rate him so highly, but it’s likely that his wage demands will be too much for them this summer. Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen has also been named as a potential option for them this summer.
Who is reported Newcastle United transfer target Gregor Kobel?
As mentioned, Trafford would seem like the perfect option for the Magpies but if he is out of reach this summer, then would Kobel be a good secondary option? At 28 years of age, Kobel is older than Trafford, but, unsurprisingly, has much more experience than his English counterpart and has been a regular in the Bundesliga for both Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart for the last six seasons.
Standing at six foot and four inches tall, Kobel should also be able to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League with height and strength now being two major attributes goalkeepers need in the current English game with a renewed emphasis on set-pieces putting a whole heap of pressure onto the men between the sticks.
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Kobel is also in good form for Dortmund and has kept 11 clean sheets in 25 Bundesliga matches this season, equalling his highest ever clean sheet haul with nine matches still left to play. Kobel has also been capped 19 times by Switzerland and has finally become a regular at international level following the dominance of Yann Sommer before him.
Gregor Kobel’s transfer admission
Kobel is not agitating for a move away from Signal Iduna Park, but with just two years left on his current contract, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Dortmund, a club renowned for selling players at the right time, look to move him on this summer in a bid to maximise the money they will receive for him.
Doubts over his long-term future in Germany haven't just crept up in recent weeks, though, with Kobel also rumoured to be admired by a number of clubs last summer. Speaking about his future at Dortmund at that time, Kobel said: “I do not comment on such things at all.
“It was important to me that we were in the Champions League, because this club simply belongs in the Champions League. It has been a hell of a four years here.
“The Champions League final, almost champions, and this year it was a completely different season. It was definitely exciting, and you never got bored.”