Exclusive: Youssoufa Moukoko ‘open’ to Newcastle move

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 19 Jan 2023 16:52 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Youssoufa Moukoko is a fan of the Newcastle project while interest from Chelsea has cooled, FootballTransfers can reveal.

The Borussia Dortmund youngster is a topic of conversation at St James Park as Chris Wood draws closer to a Nottingham Forest exit - and we understand it’s a deal the teenage sensation is open to.

Indeed, FootballTransfers can tell you that while some sources believe that the attacker is readying himself for talks with the club over a potential transfer - with his contract with BVB up in the summer - but others have been more pessimistic.

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Sources in Germany are adamant that the talks Moukoko had with the club in Marbella, Spain, were ‘satisfying’ and that they are of the belief that he will remain with them and end up signing a fresh deal amid interest - though Dortmund have given the 18-year-old until the weekend to decide his future.

Others have said that Moukoko could be edging nearer to a switch to Newcastle and feel it's a deal that could be wrapped up soon.

Dortmund play against Augsburg this weekend so if the youngster had landed in Newcastle today, it’s more than likely it would be over a January move rather than a pre-contract agreement with a view to linking up with the club when the season and his contract in Germany ends.

Meanwhile, we are told that Marcus Thuram won’t be joining the club from Borussia Gladbach and his links have never been stood up by those close to the club.

Moukoko the record breaker

Moukoko is the Bundesliga's youngest debutant, appearing for Dortmund the day after turning 16 in 2020, and became Germany's greenest World Cup player in Qatar this winter at 18 years and three days of age. Sporting director Sebastian Kehl knows it will be hard to keep him.

"Youssoufa and his advisors know that we expect a decision this week, because we want to have the issue clarified before the first matchday back," he told German sports daily Kicker. "Youssoufa can now accept this offer and commit to Borussia Dortmund, or we shall part ways.

"I'd like it if he decided for us because I see enormous potential for him if he continues his development with us. There are nevertheless limits for us as a club. Now it's up to him to make a commitment in a timely manner."

Moukoko has six goals and four assists from 14 Bundesliga games this season, giving him a goal involvement of one every 77 minutes he has played.