Newcastle consider Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha as potential Bruno Guimarães replacement

Newcastle consider Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha as potential Bruno Guimarães replacement L’Équipe reports that Newcastle United have identified Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha as a potential replacement for Bruno Guimarães. The Premier League club are preparing for the possible departure of their captain amid serious interest from Arsenal. The French sporting publication claims that Arsenal and Newcastle are approaching an agreement worth €90m before bonuses. Reports in England have been more cautious, with Newcastle said to have rejected an opening offer and continued to demand an improved package for the 28-year-old Brazilian international. Newcastle are nevertheless exploring possible successors should Guimarães leave St James’ Park. Nmecha has reportedly emerged as a clear target for the central midfield position, although L’Équipe provides no information on an official offer or direct negotiations with Dortmund. The Magpies are believed to be aware of Dortmund’s conditions for considering a sale. Nmecha remains under contract through 2030 after signing an early two-year extension in March, leaving die Schwarzgelben in a strong negotiating position. Newcastle revive long-standing Nmecha interest Newcastle already considered signing Nmecha before his move from Wolfsburg to Dortmund in the summer of 2023. The Hamburg native ultimately chose BVB, who paid approximately €30m for the former Manchester City academy player. Felix, along with his older brother Lukas, were both partially raised in England and speak the language fluently. Nmecha arrived as part of Dortmund’s attempt to reconstruct their midfield following Jude Bellingham’s move to Real Madrid. His first campaign at the Westfalenstadion was repeatedly interrupted by injury, preventing him from establishing consistent form. The German international subsequently developed into one of Dortmund’s most important midfielders. Niko Kovac has praised Nmecha’s physical strength, technical ability and vision , while identifying the six and eight positions as his strongest long-term roles. Nmecha’s capacity to win possession, carry the ball through pressure and immediately initiate counterattacks also became central to Dortmund’s tactical approach. His performances led Inter and Manchester United to register interest last summer , when BVB were reportedly seeking approximately €60m. His standing has increased considerably since then. Nmecha re-established himself in the German national team and emerged as one of the few positive performers during the country’s disappointing World Cup campaign. His estimated market value has now risen to €50m, making him the second most valuable player in Kovac’s squad behind Nico Schlotterbeck.  Dortmund hold strong negotiating position Dortmund have publicly maintained that they do not intend to sell Nmecha this summer. Sporting director Nils-Ole Book ruled out a departure at the end of May and described the midfielder as one of the best players in his position in German football. The club adopted a similarly firm position when announcing his contract extension. Managing director Lars Ricken described Nmecha as a central component of Dortmund’s strategic squad planning and emphasised his importance both at club and international level. The new agreement reportedly contains a release clause, but it cannot be activated during the present transfer window. Sport Bild reports that Nmecha may leave for €80m in the summer of 2027, with the figure dropping to €70m one year later. Newcastle would therefore have to negotiate directly with Dortmund and potentially offer more than the value of the future clause to prompt a change in position this summer. Recent reports have suggested that BVB would demand approximately €100m to sanction an immediate sale. Such a sum would represent a major profit on Dortmund’s original investment and provide funds for extensive squad reinforcement. Losing Nmecha shortly before the start of the Bundesliga season would nevertheless leave Kovac without one of the players around whom his midfield has been constructed. Nils-Ole Book on Nmecha’s future “Felix will play for us next season as well; that’s the clear plan,” Book told Sport Bild in May. GGFN  |  Peter Weis