Newcastle United want to improve their options on the right wing in the January transfer window.
As Eddie Howe’s side hit a good run of form during a busy part of the season, the attention now turns to the January transfer window which opens in less than a week.
Sporting director Paul Mitchell has his orders – Newcastle want a striker, winger and goalkeeper in January and PSV Eindhoven star Johan Bakayoko has been identified as a target.
Bakayoko has enjoyed a fine season in Holland and has even featured in the Champions League this campaign.
Newcastle want to replace Yankuba Minteh who left for Brighton to help the club avoid a points deduction for the season and while Jacob Murphy has hit a purple patch – the club still want more depth in that position with Miguel Almiron’s exit looming.
Unfortunately for Newcastle, they’ve been dealt a hammer blow in their pursuit of Bakayoko which will make them consider their options.
PSV don’t want Johan Bakayoko to leave
Early reports suggested that Bakayoko would be available for around £50million in January but PSV now seems to have cold feet over the prospect of letting the winger go.
Bakayoko has scored six goals and bagged three assists in 21 games and is seen as a key player to PSV head coach Peter Bosz.
According to Eindhoven journalist Rik Elfrink via PSV Inside, the club are “absolutely not inclined” to let Bakayoko go suggesting that only offers well above his transfer value will be entertained.
The report also suggests that Newcastle have “no chance” of signing Bakayoko – even if he wants the move to Tyneside.
Liverpool are also thought to be interested in the winger who has represented Belgium on 18 occasions.
Newcastle’s options away from Bakayoko
The Magpies must look elsewhere for a right-sided winger based on Elkrink’s words. There have been other names linked with a move to the North East.
Newcastle want Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo, who like Bakayoko would cost £50m in January. The Cameroonian has scored 10 goals this season – including one against Newcastle at the Gtech Community Stadium.
A younger, cheaper option is Southampton’s Tyler Dibling who has had a positive start to life in the Premier League making 17 appearances. Newcastle like Dibling, who would cost around £21m.
Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche is also on Newcastle’s radar, with Mitchell keen to swoop in for a prospect from his former club the Frenchman has six goal involvements in 15 Ligue 1 games.
Alternatively, if Newcastle wanted to save money and invest elsewhere they could put their trust in Murphy for the rest of the season or promote someone from the under-21s like Trevan Sanusi up to the first team.
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