Latest reports claim that Newcastle United have made contact with Borussia Dortmund for a possible transfer of Mario Gotze. The attacking midfielder is understood to be worth around £18m in the present market with other English sides making inquiries as well.
Gotze wants to switch sides this summer after failing to make the 23-man cut for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, under Joachim Loew. The German’s name was lauded around the world after his spectacular strike against Argentina in the 2014 finals to help his country to the ultimate golden trophy.
However, the situation quickly turned against the Dortmund man, as his club career took a major detour instead of progressing towards the promise it once showed in the Bundesliga ranks. Gotze switched over to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2013 but could not break into the first team like his teammate, Robert Lewandowski. The 26-year-old did not fit into Pep Guardiola’s system and found it increasingly hard to find his feet at the Allianz Arena.
After 3 seasons, 114 games and 36 goals in Munich, Gotze made his way back into the Dortmund team in hopes of reviving his career. But tragedy struck through the form of constant injuries, forcing him to temporarily retire from professional football. Club doctors diagnosed with him with a form of rare muscle disease which seemingly makes athletes struggle with recovery after strenuous activities.
After spending months on the sidelines over rehab and recovery, Gotze returned to his footballing duties in the 2017/18 season for the Black and Yellows and picked up 32 appearances for the senior team. He scored twice and furthered 7 assists but is still considered as a backup to Shinji Kagawa.
A real shame for us football fans to watch yet another world-class talent fall prey to an athlete’s worst nightmare. Hailing from the youth ranks of Dortmund, Gotze was breaking waves in the Bundesliga when he was only 18.
With 63 caps for his country, Gotze might never again be considered for international selection unless he finds a way to prove himself again. Benitez will be able to give the German number ten a prominent role at Tyneside.
United are looking for a player exactly of Gotze’s pedigree, a creative head with the technical abilities to break open defences. This also might be one of the biggest transfers of Newcastle’s history, if it ends up falling through. However, there is every possibility of it’s not happening as Benitez might face rejection from the club management as always.
