As strong as we have been this season across all areas of the pitch, few fans can deny that from a squad depth point of view, reinforcements are essential this summer if we want to keep competing at the top.
Plus, with European football on the horizon, Newcastle are going to need to search hard for a dependable back up option to Alexander Isak in the attacking line.
And now according to a new report from France, it’s looking like we’re eyeing up a move for one of the country’s fastest-rising strikers, but will face tough competition from abroad for his signature.
According to [L’Equipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/), we’re one of a number of clubs interested in signing Stade Rennais striker Arnaud Kalimuendo.
The report states that Newcastle have submitted an enquiry over a deal for the 23-year-old, but no formal offer has been made as of yet.
L’Equipe tout us as a club who are willing to “pay a substantial sum” for Kalimuendo, but we face competition from Germany if we are serious about signing him.
Bayer Leverkusen are also listed as a club interesting in signing the versatile forward who can play anywhere across the front line.
Kalimuendo, who has two years left on his current deal at the Rennes-based club, has enjoyed the best season of his career so far, despite Stade Rennais sitting in the mid table in Ligue 1.
Only Ousmane Dembele and Mason Greenwood (21 each) have scored more than the Frenchman, who’s amassed 18 goals in 34 games across the 2024/25 season.
Having joined Stade Rennais from PSG back in 2022, all signs are pointing to Arnaud Kalimuendo being yet another player to depart the French capital and only get better and better.
We had previously enjoyed strong links to another Ligue 1 forward in Lille’s Jonathan David, who of course had the appeal of being a free agent with Champions League experience.
However, it’s looking like the Canadian could be on his way to Italy, with Napoli and Juventus seemingly ahead of us in negotiations for the player.
If we want to beat out Bayer Leverkusen in particular for this promising player, then Champions League football is a huge help. But Stade Rennais could be willing to sell if our bid is big enough.