Paul Mitchell is eager for Newcastle United to sign more players from overseas, rather than pay the Premier League tax.
That is understandable, as Newcastle United were priced out of deals for the likes of Marc Guehi and Anthony Elanga in the summer.
Ahead of the January transfer window, it has been claimed that Newcastle’s priority is to sign a winger.
Newcastle’s dream signing would be Bryan Mbeumo, but it will be very difficult to bring the Brentford forward to St James’ Park during the January transfer window.
Given how well he is playing this season, Brentford are not going to let Paul Mitchell sign the 25-year-old on the cheap.
Newcastle United eye Johan Bakayoko
As the Newcastle United sporting director looks for better value, the Magpies could take their search for a right winger further afield – potentially as far as Eindhoven.
That is according to TBR Football insider Graeme Bailey, who has told Geordie Boot Boys that Newcastle United are considering PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko ahead of the January transfer window.
“Bakayoko is a very good player,” he said.
“He’s high on the list for a lot of clubs for that right-sided attacker role. He has been linked with Newcastle United before, it’s not a completely new link. Newcastle have looked at him previously.
“He’s a very good option. Paul Mitchell likes him. The Newcastle United scouting department like him a lot. He’s under consideration and ticks the boxes for what they are looking for – young and extremely talented. He’s got a lot about him and you can see why he would be on Newcastle’s radar.
“Liverpool and Arsenal have been interested in the past. Brentford also made an offer for him during the summer.
“He would be cheaper than someone like Bryan Mbeumo, who is one of Newcastle’s top targets.
“The expectation is that Bakayoko will leave PSV Eindhoven in 2025, whether that is in January or the summer.”
Mitchell must convince Eddie Howe about ‘beautiful’ Bakayoko
Mitchell is a fan of Bakayoko, and so are the Newcastle United scouting department.
But it remains to be seen how Eddie Howe feels, with the Newcastle United manager having a say on who the Magpies sign.
Mitchell recently said that he would collaborate with Howe over signings, so perhaps the Toon sporting director will be trying to convince the head coach that Bakayoko would be a good addition.
At 21-years-old, Bakayoko is a right winger who is left footed, while he has already won 18 caps for Belgium. He has won the praise of Romelu Lukaku, who has said that Bakayoko is a ‘beautiful‘ player whose potential knows no bounds. Lukaku even thinks Bakayoko will become world class.
That fits the bill of what Newcastle United are looking for when it comes to new signings, particularly in attack.
So far this season, Bakayoko has five goals and three assists in all competitions for PSV.
A 2025 exit from the Dutch club appears to be on the cards, and it will be interesting to see whether Newcastle United try to tempt him to Tyneside.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
