Newcastle United will reportedly have to splash up to €30 million to sign Arsenal loanee Konstantinos Mavropanos from Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart.
According to SportBILD, as relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle United will have to pay €30 million for Konstantinos Mavropanos if they want to sign the Arsenal loanee from Stuttgart.
Stuttgart hold the option to buy the 24-year-old for just €3 million, and the German club are expected to exercise it to retain the defender. However, with the player’s stock rapidly rising, the club could then look to sell him on, with a €30 million price tag slapped on his head, which will see Stuttgart make a quick €25 million-plus profit.
Meanwhile, the Gunners find themselves powerless and may lose a player for a tenth value of what he will be sold for in the same window. Mavropanos was snapped up by Arsenal from PAS Giannina in January 2018 during Arsène Wenger’s last transfer window at the Emirates but he struggled for consistent playing time at the north London club.
He had a short loan stint in German second-division with Nurnberg before finally settling at Bundesliga side Stuttgart. The Greek international has been on loan at VfB Stuttgart since 2020 and appears to be thriving. In total, he has made 39 appearances for Die Schwaben. However, with interest from top clubs mounting, Mavropanos is unlikely to continue with Stuttgart past this season.
Mavropanos has four goals from 15 league appearances this season for VfB Stuttgart. His fine displays have attracted attention from multiple English and German clubs, with West Ham and Borussia Dortmund the major suitors. Newly cash-rich Newcastle are also taking a keen interest in the Greek defender in a bid to bolster their defensive options.
Having conceded a league-high 41 goals, the defence has been a huge weak link for the Toon this campaign as they prepare themselves for a relegation dogfight in the coming months. Newcastle are in desperate need of reinforcements and have recently been linked with signings such as Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo, Burnley’s James Tarkowski and Ben Mee and an audacious move for Lille centre-half Sven Botman.
Mavropanos seems to be the latest of a long list of central defenders linked to a switch to St James’ Park. Described as a ‘gladiator’ and ‘tough dog’ by Stuttgart boss Pellegrino Matarazzo, the 24-year-old would be a very smart addition for Newcastle. Capable of playing as centre-back or in the right-back role, he boasts a decent height, physical prowess and reading of the game.
And he has the underlying numbers to back his dominating presence, averaging 2.5 tackles, 2.8 interceptions and an astounding 5.7 clearances per 90. The Greek ace has also won an average of 3.6 aerial duels per 90, showcasing his quality and positional sense to make consistent and vital interventions at the back. To put it into context, he ranks among the top 10 percentile of centre-backs for tackles, interceptions, blocks, dribbles and progressive passes in the Top 5 European leagues.
Mavropanos is also good at coming out from the back to provide an added attacking threat which would suit Magpies boss Eddie Howe’s style of play. With Borussia Dortmund and West Ham also interested in acquiring his services, it remains to be seen whether Newcastle can land the 24-year-old or turn to other alternatives.
