Revealed: Newcastle pulled plug on signing Borussia Dortmund star Youssoufa Moukoko with deal all but done
Newcastle United pulled the plug on talks to sign Youssoufa Moukoko when a deal was close, sources have told Football Insider.
The north-east giants had climbed into pole position to land the Borussia Dortmund sensation, 18, earlier this month despite competing Chelsea interest.
Newcastle were close to an agreement with Dortmund and the player was also keen to join in a move that would have been seen as a major coup.
But Eddie Howe’s side opted to pull out of negotiations and Moukoko signed a new Dortmund contract on 21 January.
It is believed that it was Newcastle’s choice not to finalise a deal for the centre-forward, widely regarded as one of the top young attacking talents in Europe.
It came at a time when he was caught up in an age fraud storm in Germany amid reports he could be older than the age registered on formal Dortmund documents.
Moukoko has registered six goals and six assists in 24 appearances for Dortmund so far this season.
Only highly-coveted midfielder Jude Bellingham has scored more for the German side this season as they struggle following Erling Haaland’s departure last year (2022).
The young striker pledged his future to Dortmund until June 2026.
He became the youngest player to feature for Germany at a World Cup last year when he came off the bench in group-stage action against Japan in Qatar.
Newcastle eventually moved to add a forward to their squad, with Everton and England Under-21 international Anthony Gordon bolstering the attacking arsenal.
The Magpies paid a reported fee which could rise as high as £45million.
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