Some Newcastle supporters have been reacting on social media after NUFC 360 shared that Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Jetro Willems had told VTBL that United and AS Roma were interested in signing him this summer.
The Dutch defender has found his future at Eintracht shadowed in doubt this season, after being dropped by manager Adi Hutter in favour of Filip Kostic when the 49-year-old switched to a three-man defence.
German publication Bild have even reported that they expect the 25-year-old to be sold in the coming months as part of a clear out likely to include several first-team players, as 5 ft 5 Willems has failed to live up to the expectations of his €4.5million (£3.9m) move from PSV Eindhoven.
Should Rafa Benitez not be put off by Frankfurt’s concerns and sanction a move for Willems once his own contract situation is resolved, he would be adding a 22-cap former international to his squad, who TransferMarkt value at £5.85million after he made 36 appearances across all competitions in the recently concluded campaign, but only played 1,370 minutes of action.
Willems also banks €38,000-a-week (£32,569) at the Commerzbank-Arena, according to Capology, which would place him toward the lower earners in our squad.
Not every United fan on Twitter is confident that a move would be on the cards, though…
I think we’ll still be interested in him when he’s 50
— james hooker (@jimmyschmitz) May 20, 2019
Cue a stampede onto YouTube
— NUFCTOON (@NUFCTOON1892) May 20, 2019
We are probably interested in many players you know what Rafa’s like, if/when he hopefully signs a new deal we’re gonna be in for a long summer of names!
— James Knowlson (@jimknowlson) May 20, 2019
No idea who the manager will be or what tactics or style they will adopt, but let’s sign players anyway. Bonkers.
— Zach Conway (@zatconway) May 20, 2019
Enjoy Rome, I hear its beautiful.
— Adam Raupp Painting (@AdamRauppPaint) May 20, 2019
We’re always interested until it comes time to paying the going rate
— Chris McGough ???????? (@mrmojorisin1975) May 20, 2019
Good player but shoddy injury record.
— The Perennial Pundit (@PerennialPundit) May 20, 2019
But only one is feasible.
— JOP (@40yearsofhurt) May 21, 2019
Every summer ????♂️
— Zaharaddeen Wanka (@Zee530) May 21, 2019
I only recently realised he played for Frankfurt. I watched the game vs Leverkusen where he was subbed before half-time along with another lad as they got humped 6-1. He did not look good that day. Think this is his agent trying to drum up interest.
— Andrew Nesbitt (@Nezy1909) May 21, 2019
Take this geezer in a heartbeat. Looked class for Frankfurt in Europa league and he was playing out of position.
Still got his best years ahead of him too.
— Matthaus (@GeordieDubravka) May 20, 2019
Clark replacement?
— . (@DubravkaOh) May 21, 2019