Newcastle target £73m Dortmund midfielder Nmecha as Guimaraes and Tonali exits loom

Newcastle have identified Felix Nmecha as a transfer target as the club braces for the potential loss of both Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali this summer, with the Borussia Dortmund midfielder also attracting interest from Manchester United.

Tottenham have reportedly agreed personal terms with Tonali, while Arsenal have had a bid for Guimaraes rejected by Newcastle. With two of their most important midfielders potentially heading to Premier League rivals, Eddie Howe’s side are drawing up contingency plans — and Nmecha is among the names under consideration at St James’ Park.

The 25-year-old has a £73.5 million release clause in his Dortmund contract, which runs until 2030 after he signed a new long-term deal in March. That extension came shortly before he helped Niko Kovac’s side finish second in the Bundesliga and secure Champions League football, though it has not dampened speculation over his future.

Nmecha is currently representing Germany at the World Cup, having started all three of their group stage matches and contributing one goal and one assist. Germany topped their group and will face Paraguay in the round of 32.

A box-to-box midfielder standing 6ft 3in, Nmecha offers a blend of attacking output and physical presence. He scored six goals and registered three assists in the Bundesliga last season, combining an ability to win aerial duels and break up play with a habit of arriving late into the box.

Nmecha joined Dortmund from Wolfsburg in 2023 and spent 14 years in Manchester City’s academy before that, making three first-team appearances under Pep Guardiola. His elder brother Lukas, also a former City youngster, now plays for Leeds.

Having grown up in Manchester, Nmecha would be familiar with English football culture. In a previous interview, he reflected on the blend of influences that have shaped him: “With Nigeria a lot of the culture is food, happiness, even just the business mindset, being disciplined. Then the German side is also very disciplined and has good values and morals. And then the England side, I think a lot of English people are very open when it comes to conversations, having a laugh and hard working as well.”

Newcastle’s interest is described as long-standing, with Howe said to have monitored Nmecha for several years. Whether they can move ahead of United — and whether the departures of Guimaraes and Tonali both materialise — will shape how aggressively the club pursues a deal.