- Newcastle United interested in Mikkel Bro Hansen
- Magpies had bid rejected in January for 17-year-old
- Bro Hansen would fit recruitment focus
Newcastle United are reportedly interested in bringing 17-year-old Danish youngster Mikel Bro Hansen to the club this summer. The Magpies face stiff competition for the forward, with a mass of interest swirling, including elite clubs like Premier League rivals Manchester City.
Bro Hansen has been a subject of extensive scouting from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, but Newcastle have been keeping the keenest eye throughout the season.
The Magpies reportedly had a bid rejected by Bodo/Glimt during the January transfer window for the youngster. That hasn’t deterred the club from trying to get a deal over the line, though, and Bro Hansen is widely appreciated within the hierarchy as a top talent for the future.
Newcastle reignite Bro Hansen interest
Whilst some of Europe’s top clubs, including the likes of Ajax, Barcelona and Manchester City, are also keeping tabs, Newcastle’s interest has been the most intense thus far.
The striker position isn’t expected to be an area of urgent address for the Magpies this summer, but Bro Hansen could be an astute signing to make sure the position is secured for years to come.
Given the proven development of strikers like Alexander Isak and the current explosion of William Osula after years of nurturing, Tyneside could well be a favoured destination for a young player with the ceiling of the Bodo/Glimt starlet.
It is uncertain how much Bro Hansen would cost in the current market, but a deal could cost around £20m-£30m, especially if a bidding war arises. That may be a slight deterrent for Newcastle, who do have more pressing matters in terms of recruitment and some budget restrictions this summer.
Newcastle continue recruitment focus
Eddie Howe has made his stance on the centre-forward position clear in recent weeks, and Newcastle are expected to stick with the current three options. But there has been talk of recouping some of the Yoane Wissa outlay by accepting a loss this summer.
That could leave the door open for an arrival, which, if the discourse around transfer plans are to be believed, could be a younger profile like that of Bro Hansen.
Hansen is seen as an exceptionally exciting talent and has tendencies of Alexander Isak in terms of his deeper build-up play and ability to run in behind defences.
The Magpies have made it clear that there will be a shift in recruitment focus this summer, with an onus placed on reducing the squad’s age.
With a plethora of academy investment also continuing, Newcastle’s interest in Bro Hansen feels as if it makes a lot of sense, all things considered. Whether Howe would welcome the addition of such an unproven talent isn’t clear, especially given his reluctance to hand opportunities to Newcastle’s academy players this season.
But there is a feeling the manager will have to adapt to the club’s requirements moving forward, which could be a good sign for the plausibility of securing the Dane’s signature.
