Newcastle United are prepared to pay £16m to sign wonderkid striker compared to Sergio Aguero

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Newcastle United have shifted their transfer strategy since the arrival of Paul Mitchell.

During the summer transfer window, the Magpies had found themselves in a sticky situation with PSR. They needed to make up a substantial sum of money to avoid a points deduction for the 2024/25 season.

The PIF did not want a points deduction. So as a result, Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh were sold.

Those sales made Mitchell brand Newcastle’s transfer plan “not fit for purpose“, blasting staff who had been at the club prior.

Now, Mitchell wants to sign young players from abroad – he has already gotten to work with making that happen. Young striker Kyle Fitzgerald will join Newcastle in January from Galway United. He is expected to link-up with the under-21s upon arrival.

Elsewhere, Georgian star Vakhtang Salia has agreed to join Newcastle when he turns 18 in August.

With Mitchell’s new strategy in motion, Newcastle have now set their sights on a Turkish wonderkid who has impressed in both the league and in Europe this season.

• READ MORE – Paul Mitchell is about to take a huge Newcastle United risk that could anger Eddie Howe

Newcastle eyeing move for Semih Kilicsoy

Besiktas forward Semih Kilicsoy broke into their first-team squad during the 2022/23 season at just 16 years old. Now 19, he has become a household name in the Turkish Super Lig, being involved in five goals across 19 appearances so far this season.

The Turkish prospect has featured in all of Besiktas’ Europa League games this season including their most recent game against Athletico Bilbao under former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Kilicsoy has been compared to Sergio Aguero by Besiktas’ football academy director Mehmet Eksi (Karakartal) – so it is no surprise that he has garnered interest from England.

According to Milliyet, Newcastle have a strong interest in Kilicsoy and are willing to pay €19m (£16m) to sign him in the January transfer window. The transfer window shuts in just under a week, so Newcastle must act fast if they want his signature before the deadline.

The report also states that Aston Villa are keeping tabs on the 19-year-old. Newcastle already lost Donyell Malen to Villa after the club were offered him by Borussia Dortmund earlier in January.

Semih Kilicsoy stats compared to Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak has been immense for Newcastle this season. The Swede scored a brace in Newcastle’s win at Southampton to increase his tally to 19 goals in all competitions this campaign.

Newcastle wanted a striker in January, but Callum Wilson’s potential February return and William Osula’s availability means that it is less of a priority to get a deal done.

Wilson is out of contract in the summer – a younger, fitter striker may be seen as more of a priority then. But if Newcastle were to sign Kilicsoy in January, it would give Howe more attacking depth to help them in their efforts to qualify for the Champions League once again.