Transfers of Tuesday, 7 July 2015

Source: chroniclelive.co.uk

Newcastle to swoop for Schalke's £10m Joel Matip

Joel Matip (Shalke) Joel Matip (Shalke)

Newcastle United transfer target Joel Matip is set to face crunch talks on his future with Schalke 04’s new boss André Breitenreiter.

The centre-back remains high on Newcastle’s list of priorities this summer as Steve McClaren looks to land his first summer signing.

The Magpies are still hopeful of signing the £10million-rated defender from the Bundesliga club.

But Breitenreiter also wants his squad focused for the new season ahead as he looks to improve on former Schalke 04 boss Roberto Di Matteo’s sixth-placed finish last season in Germany.

Newcastle chiefs don’t need reminding of the growing public pressure that is building on Tyneside as Magpies supporters become more frustrated and also sceptical about the club’s transfer dealings as the days go by.

But Matip, Florian Thauvin, Charlie Austin and Georginio Wijnaldum remain on the club’s wanted list.

Matip has been recovering from injury with Schalke 04 and only returned to train with the main group of players beneath Breitenreiter’s supervision yesterday.

However, the player is likely to be asked about his plans in the coming days.

Breitenreiter said: “I’ve already had a few short discussions with the players.

“The most important thing is that we all get to know each other first.

“After that, we can look ahead to how we want to play out on the field and how individual players work, in order to understand each other better in the long term. We have to all get to know each other first.

“Then we’ll have a look at which areas we might need to improve in.”

Wijnaldum has opened up on speculation linking him with a move to United after being quizzed by Dutch journalists over his future at PSV Eindhoven.

Newcastle have held talks with the player’s representatives but the 24-year-old said: “The clubs must first reach an agreement.

“I hear a lot of rumours but as long as nothing has become finalised, I focus on my job at PSV.

“My agent will inform me when something is about to materialise

“And only then will I start to consider the offer and take a decision – but not now.”