Newcastle United 'blocked deadline day transfer' after witnessing Arsenal move

Bayer Leverkusen have lost a number of key players this summer, including Florian Wirtz and Piero Hincapie, and were hoping to replace the centre-back with Newcastle defender Sven Botman

Newcastle blocked Bayer Leverkusen's bid to sign Sven Botman on deadline day as the German side looked to replace Arsenal-bound Piero Hincapie, according to reports in Germany.

Leverkusen have seen their team ravaged by outgoing transfer this summer, agreeing to sell Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool for nearly £150million combined, while captain Granit Xhaka was also sold to Sunderland and Jonathan Tah left on a free transfer. And after also losing key defender Hincapie to Arsenal late in the window, club chiefs attempted to replace him with Newcastle centre-back Botman, to no avail.

German outlet Kicker claims Leverkusen weighed up a number of "suitable candidates" to replace Hincapie after Arsenal agreed a season-long loan with an option to buy for around £45m. But after initially putting out the feelers to sign Botman, they were forced to look elsewhere because they "weren't given access".

Newcastle have been extremely reluctant to lose any more key personnel after reluctantly agreeing to sell Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a British transfer record of £125m. They manage to keep their other top players while also signing Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa.

In the end, Leverkusen were unable to find their own replacement for Hincapie, adding to their growing problems at the start of a turbulent season.

The Bundesliga side are in a crisis after deciding to sack manager Erik ten Hag after just two games of the league season.

Sporting director Simon Rolfes admitted it was a mistake to hire the Dutchman after hinting at tensions behind the scenes and a disagreement on the direction of the club.

But Ten Hag said he was blindsided by his "unprecedented" sacking and insisted he needed much more time to bring success to the club.

"A new coach deserves the space to implement his vision, set the standards, shape the squad and leave his mark on the style of play," he said. "I started this job with full conviction and energy, but unfortunately the management was not willing to grant me the time and trust I needed, which I deeply regret.

"The decision by Bayer Leverkusen’s management this morning to put me on a leave of absence came as a complete surprise. To part ways with a coach after just two league matches is unprecedented."