Hertha Berlin chief tells Newcastle United where they stand on signing Ibrahim Maza in January

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Sporting director Paul Mitchell wants to put his Newcastle United transfer strategy into practice in the January transfer window.

There has been a huge shift in focus since Mitchell’s arrival in July, the summer transfer window was a disaster in many ways but he can’t be completely to blame for that.

Newcastle sold Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh due to pressures from PSR, the pair are now thriving at Nottingham Forest and Brighton respectively.

Mitchell now wants to recruit young players from overseas with the hope that Toon boss Eddie Howe can transform them into quality players like he did with Joelinton.

The new approach ensures that in theory, Newcastle will be paying smaller fees but could sell them on for massive profits in the future.

Newcastle have targets identified, but one young star could be harder to sign than others.

Ibrahim Maza exit talks played down amid Newcastle interest

Ibrahim Maza’s impressive performances in the 2. Bundesliga have put eyes on him over a potential move in January.

Newcastle are linked with Maza who fits perfectly with Mitchell’s transfer plans. The 19-year-old has nine goal involvements in 17 games for Hertha Berlin this season despite the side’s struggles to climb up the table.

However, in a recent report from Borkener Zeitung, Hertha’s sporting director Benjamin Weber played down any rumours of Maza’s exit in January.

“We know what we have in him,” Weber said.

“He knows what he has in us. That’s why I’m very optimistic. I don’t think it’s an issue for the winter,”

The attacking midfielder has interest throughout the Premier League with the report suggesting Manchester City are one club alongside the Magpies keeping tabs on him.

Newcastle are willing to pay around £17milllion for the 19-year-old in an attempt to pry him away from the German side.

Maza came through Hertha’s academy – he made his debut for the club in February 2024 aged 18 and went on to make 12 more appearances that season, scoring once.

• READ MORE: All of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United signings, ranked

Newcastle’s youth recruitment drive continues

Maza would be one of many young prospects Newcastle have signed in the last 18 months, the 19-year-old wouldn’t be the last either.

Newcastle are also eyeing a move for PAOK FC forward Stefanos Tzimas who is currently on loan at 2. Bundesliga side Nurnberg.

Since the takeover in 2021, Newcastle have been seen as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to academy recruitment.

Since the beginning of last season, the Magpies have signed the likes of Cathal Heffernan from AC Milan, Rory Finneran from Blackburn, Travis Hernes from Shrewsbury and Alfie Harrison from Manchester City.

Maza’s form means he could have a place in Newcastle’s first-team sooner rather than later, but Howe may want him to develop in the youth ranks first.