Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund are tied in a two-way battle to sign Bas Dost - but Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking has advised the forward not to head for Tyneside. Despite Dutch outlet Voetbal International claiming that the 26-year-old has made it clear to the Wolfsburg board - who he does not get along with anyway - that he will seek pastures new during the upcoming transfer window, the German club are reluctant to let Dost leave. Hecking does not want his star forward to move this summer, even for £9 million - and, judging by comments he made on Tuesday, he certainly will not allow the Holland international to head for Tyneside. Speaking to waz-online, Hecking said:
"Why should he go to Newcastle? "He can play Champions League with us - he won't be able to do that at Newcastle in the upcoming years. "We don't want to sell anybody."
Long-tracked by Newcastles chief scout Graham Carr, Dost bagged an impressive 16 goals in the Bundesliga last season as Wolfsburg finished second behind champions Bayern Munich. With new head coach Steve McClaren having been promised two forwards this summer, it appears as if a move for Dost will not have any impact on the Magpies pursuit of Queens Park Rangers strker Charlie Austin, although price could put paid to any such deal. Dost is a potential signing who would certainly show a statement of intent by the club as they would be purchasing one of the leading marksmen in Europe last season. Having managed to get on the scoresheet 20 times in 36 appearances in 2014-15, Dost would add firepower to a Magpies side that was severely lacked in such a department last season. Also, with Dost standing at 6ft 5in tall, he would also offer a physical presence and a variety to the Newcastle attack - something they have lacked since Andy Carroll moved to Liverpool in 2011. Its now just about the Magpies hierarchy convincing Wolfsburg to allow Dost to move to Newcastle this summer... For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
