Newcastle United’s latest transfer target wants to win the Ballon d’Or by 2029, he’s available for just £17m

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Newcastle United transfer target Johan Bakayoko has set himself a deadline to win the Ballon d’Or.

Bakayoko has been linked with Newcastle United as the club look to strengthen their attacking options this summer.

Geordie Boot Boys understand that Newcastle have had an offer for Anthony Elanga rejected, while Sky Sports have claimed Bakayoko has emerged as a potential alternative.

The PSV winger is not a particularly new name for eagle-eyed Newcastle supporters. He’s been linked for a while now, and PSV Eindhoven star Bakayoko could be available for just £17million this summer. 

Quite whether or not he’s the right man for Eddie Howe remains to be seen. Still, the 22-year-old certainly backs himself to shine on the top level. 

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Johan Bakayoko wants to win the Ballon d’Or by 2029

Speaking to The Athletic in 2024, the Belgium international admitted he had targeted potentially winning the Ballon d’Or in the next five years, which would be in 2029.

That gives him four more years to do so, if he’s going to reach his own deadline.

“In the next five years, I want to be close to winning the Ballon d’Or,” he said.

“I’ll do my best and see where it can end, but I don’t want to give myself limits. I don’t want to say, ‘I remember when I won the Ballon d’Or’, or something like this. I want to keep going.”

Johan Bakayoko stats compared to Jacob Murphy

Last season, the forward scored nine goals while registering an assist in 17 Eredivisie starts as PSV snatched the title away from Ajax in stunning fashion.

Jacob Murphy, meanwhile, enjoyed a brilliant campaign on Tyneside. Given he’s currently the starting option out on the right wing, it seems wise to compare the two even if the divisions in which they play aren’t generally considered to be on the same level. 

During the 2024/25 campaign, Murphy beat the Belgian star for goals and assists. Still, Bakayoko did produce more shots and dribbles per game, albeit the quality of the league has to be taken into account. 

While the 22-year-old Bakayoko certainly has room to grow, Howe would surely need to yield a vast improvement out of him if he did sign for Newcastle.