Newcastle United now targeting the signing of Johan Bakayoko – Report | OneFootball

It has now been reported that Newcastle United are looking to sign Johan Bakayoko.

The Telegraph report that Eddie Howe and Newcastle United want to sign at least one player in the January 2025 transfer window and the exciting 21 year old is top of the list.

A lot of clubs are credited with interest in Johan Bakayoko and The Telegraph say that the player is highly rated by all members of the senior Newcastle United recruitment set-up, including Eddie Howe.

The 21 year old already has 18 senior caps for Belgium and is seen as an ideal fix for the problematic right side of the Newcastle United attack.

Starting 37 Dutch league and Champions League matches last (2023/24) season, Johan Bakayoko managed a very impressive 23 direct goal involvements, scoring 13 and getting 10 assists.

This season. Bakayoko has started 15 Champions League and Dutch league matches, scoring six goals and getting two assists.

The report says one of the major obstacles to a January deal will be PSV’s reluctance to lose their star player in the middle of the season, they are currently seven points clear in their domestic league and have eight points from their first five Champions League matches. They play away at Brest in their six CL game tonight.

A potential deal for Johan Bakayoko in January, will also almost surely depend on at least one Newcastle United player heading out, to offset the cost, both in terms of transfer fee and wages.

The Telegraph say that Newcastle United are hoping to sell Miguel Almiron next month for around £12m, plus Kieran Trippier is another who is likely to leave.

The report says that one player Newcastle United and Eddie Howe don’t want to sell, is Harvey Barnes. The winger has scored five Premier League goals and has one PL assist this season, despite only starting six PL matches. However, NUFC are said to be worried that there will be interest and potential offers in January, with Barnes frustrated at so few starts. Turning 27 yesterday (9 December 2024), Harvey Barnes has Anthony Gordon ahead of him as first choice on his favoured left wing position a nd recently we have also seen Eddie Howe revert back to the Joe Willock and Joelinton combination on the left that served him so well previously.