Newcastle United weigh up ‘fascinating’ move for Johan Bakayoko alternative with ‘links to Tyneside’

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Newcastle United have plenty of wingers on their radar, including Johan Bakayoko.

The PSV Eindhoven superstar has been heavily linked with Newcastle United, as Eddie Howe eyes reinforcements on the right of attack.

Geordie Boot Boys were told in November that Newcastle were scouting Bakayoko ahead of the January transfer window, but a move to Tyneside did not materialise because of PSR.

The Magpies will be in a better financial position this summer, and it has been reported that Bakayoko is a transfer target for Newcastle United.

Newcastle United are looking at Marcus Tavernier

However, he is not the only winger who Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell are looking at.

That is according to TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, who has told Geordie Boot Boys that Newcastle United have their eye on Bournemouth attacker Marcus Tavernier ahead of the summer transfer window.

“Tavernier is an outstanding player,” he said.

“I think he would be a good fit for Newcastle United. It’s interesting with him, because he has got links to Tyneside. He lived there as a youngster and when he was a Middlesbrough player. His friends are Newcastle United fans, while his brother, James, was at the club.

“He’s a fascinating option who can play on either flank. He is one to keep an eye on. Newcastle are keeping an eye on him going into the summer.

“Johan Bakayoko and Antoine Semenyo are also being looked at. Bakayoko would arguably be a sexier signing than either of the Bournemouth wingers, coming from abroad. He would be cheaper too, due to the ‘Premier League tax’.”

How Tavernier compares to Newcastle target Johan Bakayoko

As Bailey says, Johan Bakayoko would be a sexier signing than Tavernier. He would arrive from the Eredivisie, is a Belgium international, is younger at the age of 21 and has Champions League pedigree.

Bakayoko would also probably be cheaper, as Premier League players are notoriously more expensive.

Bournemouth spent £15million on Tavernier in 2022. The 25-year-old has since established himself as a decent Premier League talent, while he is a player who can operate on the left and right of attack.

That versatility, combined with his Premier League experience, will appeal to Howe, who knows he needs to freshen up his squad when the summer transfer window opens.

But Howe is a fan of Bakayoko too, and it will be interesting to see which winger becomes the Magpies’ primary target. There are various other options too, such as Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.