Newcastle United Expand Scouting Team Ahead of January Transfer Window
Newcastle United is gearing up for the January transfer window by adding to their scouting team. Marcel Bout, who has previously worked with Manchester United and Bayern Munich, has announced that he will be joining the Magpies, as reported by the Dutch media.
Bout, a 60-year-old scout, is expected to be based in the Netherlands and travel worldwide with the task of identifying promising talent aged between 16 and 23.
In his statement to the Dutch newspaper, Bout expressed his enthusiasm for the expansion of the club, stating, “The steady expansion of the club appeals to me. I’m also happy to be back in England and at Champions League level.”
Marcel Bout has a longstanding association with Dutch football legend Louis van Gaal. Their collaboration began in 2011 at Bayern Munich when Bout served as Van Gaal’s assistant.
Later, they reunited at Manchester United in 2014, with Bout specializing in opposition scouting before taking on the role of the club’s chief global scout from October 2016 to April 2022.
His tenure with Newcastle is expected to commence ahead of the January transfer window as the club looks to reinforce its squad. The Magpies recently faced a setback with the 10-month ban imposed on £52 million summer signing Sandro Tonali due to an investigation into illegal betting activity.
Furthermore, the depth of the squad managed by Eddie Howe has been depleted in recent weeks, with 12 senior players unavailable for a Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
Newcastle’s Sporting Director Dan Ashworth hinted at their approach for the January transfer market. He highlighted their preference for summer signings to maximize the player’s contribution over a full season but acknowledged their readiness to explore the market creatively.
While their January transfer activity is expected to be limited, the club aims to strengthen the squad and enhance its chances of success by being proactive in the market.
As Newcastle aims to fortify its squad in preparation for the challenges ahead, the addition of Marcel Bout to their scouting team reflects their commitment to identifying top young talents in the football world.