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Newcastle United hold an interest in PSV Eindhoven star Johan Bakayoko, which could indicate a change in how they recruit players.
The 21-year-old winger - who is a Belgium international - has scored 27 goals and registered 22 assists for PSV since making his debut in 2022, helping them to win the Eredivisie last season and the KNVB Cup the year before. That has led to several European clubs keeping track of Bakayoko, including Liverpool.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Bakayoko is admired by the Magpies’ recruitment committee - which includes sporting director Paul Mitchell and head coach Eddie Howe - and agree he would be a strong addition to the right side of attack which currently has Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron as its recognised options.
Johan Bakayoko of PSV during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between PSV Eindhoven and FC Shakhtar Donetsk at PSV Stadion on November 27, 2024 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)Johan Bakayoko of PSV during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between PSV Eindhoven and FC Shakhtar Donetsk at PSV Stadion on November 27, 2024 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Johan Bakayoko of PSV during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between PSV Eindhoven and FC Shakhtar Donetsk at PSV Stadion on November 27, 2024 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sealing any major signings in January is likely to be dependent on United’s ability to move players out of the door. As regularly repeated by Howe, the club is hamstrung by Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The interest in Bakayoko hints at a shift in the club’s recruitment strategy under Mitchell by widening the search from domestic to international. Previous reports have suggested Bakayoko’s price tag is between £35m to £40m mark, whereas, for example, Brentford want £50m to £60m for Bryan Mbeumo,
Indeed, it was something the former Monaco man hinted at when reviewing a disappointing summer transfer window. United spent the final month of the window trying to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, though refused to meet his £70million asking price.
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Asked if the club had been too Premier League focussed in the market, Mitchell replied: “I wouldn’t say too much because we’ve signed players from other leagues at great cost but I think it’s normal for domestic clubs to look first domestically.
“I just think there probably needs to be more of a balance at looking externally and globally and looking that way and stretch our radius. It’s normal to look domestically. There just needs to be a better balance. But we have signed players from abroad. We have done that, it’s clear.
“Should we stretch our radius, look at where there’s under-valued pockets of talent, like the way I managed to do quite successfully at Monaco should we balance our strategy.”
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