Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Thu 7 May 2026 16:00, UK

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Niklas Sule has announced that he will retire from professional football this summer at the age of 30, four years after he supposedly rejected a move to Newcastle United.

The defender was leaving Bayern Munich at the time and attracted interest from several clubs in Europe before eventually deciding to sign for Borussia Dortmund.

Newcastle signed Dan Burn in the same January window that they were rejected by Sule, with the likes of Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes also arriving in the surrounding days.

But the German Champions League winner would certainly have been a fan favourite at St James’ Park.

Newcastle transfer chiefs missed out, and the defender may well be wondering what could have been, considering how his career has progressed since.

Niklas Sule’s failed Newcastle move

Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider in April that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), Newcastle’s owners, are set to invest up to £100million into the club.

There has been uncertainty surrounding the owners after funding was pulled from LIV Golf, its breakaway tour, but decision-makers remain committed at St James’ Park.

In January 2022, PIF were just months into their ownership of Newcastle, and looked to strengthen Eddie Howe’s team.

Sule, formerly of Eintracht Frankfurt, Darmstadt and Hoffenheim, was closing in on his fifth consecutive Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich.

But the defender was keen for a new challenge with his contract expiring, and had previously expressed his desire to play in the Premier League.

According to Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus, Newcastle made an offer that, financially, far outweighed the deal he would ultimately sign at Dortmund.

“It is not about money,” he told Sky Germany. “Otherwise, he would have gone to England. He had an offer from Newcastle United, where he would have earned twice as much.

“He is looking for a sporting challenge. And at Bayern he no longer felt valued. In recent years, Sule has often been attacked because of his weight and no one has protected him.”

Injuries have been brutal for Sule

Sule made 41 appearances across all competitions in his first season at Dortmund and was key as they went brutally close to winning the Bundesliga, losing to Bayern on goal difference.

The second season saw him make just 31 as he was often left on the bench, including for the Champions League final.

Significant injury struck for Sule in the 2024-25 season, and its effects this season have been felt massively.

The 30-year-old has made just 12 appearances across all competitions and has had problems with his toe, his back, his hamstring and his knee.

Ultimately, Sule has decided to throw in the towel and leave Newcastle fans wondering what if?