The ex-Manchester United and Bayern Munich player has announced his move to Newcastle United. In an interview with a Dutch newspaper, Bout expressed his interest in the club’s steady expansion and his excitement about returning to England at Champions League level. Bout has a history with Dutch legend Louis van Gaal, having worked with him at Bayern Munich and later at Man United, where he served as the chief global scout from October 2016 to April 2022.
Expected to start working in January, Bout’s arrival comes as Newcastle considers strengthening their squad. The team faced setbacks, including the 10-month ban of £52 million summer signing Sandro Tonali due to an investigation into illegal betting. Furthermore, Eddie Howe’s squad depth was tested in a recent Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund, with 12 senior players unavailable.
In a recent interview, sporting director Dan Ashworth discussed the club’s January plans, emphasizing the challenges of the transfer window. He mentioned the club’s approach to budgeting for the entire financial year, preferring summer signings to maximize player performance over the whole season. Despite acknowledging the difficulties of the January window, Ashworth expressed the club’s flexibility and creativity in exploring various options, including loans and contract structures. While the aim is to strengthen the squad for success, Ashworth emphasized that the club won’t make moves unless the right player is available.