Newcastle United will be eager to strengthen their ranks this summer ahead of a big season for the club.
The Magpies will be in the Champions League next term after finishing fifth in the Premier League this season.
Callum Wilson’s future at Newcastle is uncertain due to his expiring contract, so the Magpies are on high alert for a replacement up front.
Now, according to reports from France, Newcastle have got the ball rolling over an 18-goal striker who they tried to sign three years ago.
Photo by LOU BENOIST/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by LOU BENOIST/AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle rekindle interest in Arnaud Kalimuendo
Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen have both taken ‘initial steps’ to sign Rennes forward Arnaud Kalimuendo, according to L’Equipe.
Indeed, the Magpies are said to be willing to pay a ‘substantial sum’ to sign the third-highest scorer in Ligue 1 this season.
And while no bids have been made, the report claims Kalimuendo could be in for a ‘hectic period’ on the transfer front this summer.
Newcastle were linked with Kalimuendo back in 2022, with reports claiming the Magpies had made a bid worth around £17million.
Leeds United were also keen on Kalimuendo, who was then on Paris Saint-Germain’s books, but he went on to join Rennes for £17million instead.
Why Kalimuendo would be a good fit for Newcastle
At just 23 years of age, Kalimuendo has made a name for himself as one of the best forwards in French football.
He has made 34 appearances for Rennes this season, registering 18 goals – of which 17 have come in Ligue 1 – and four assists.
Statistic Per 90 Percentile
Non-Penalty Goals 0.42 67
Shots Total 2.37 47
Assists 0.1 44
Shot-Creating Actions 1.71 25
Passes Attempted 21.12 60
Pass Completion % 78.80% 93
Progressive Passes 2.51 82
Progressive Carries 1.75 78
Successful Take-Ons 0.73 62
Touches (Opposition Penalty) 4.4 44
Progressive Passes Received 5.83 68
Arnaud Kalimuendo stats over past 365 days
Along with being a solid goalscorer, Kalimuendo is great off the ball and is also superb at moving the ball up the pitch and finding teammates.
“He’s a very interesting player when it comes to finding space,” former Rennes head coach Bruno Genesio previously said, as per FootballTransfers.
“He understands how to move, when to rush into tight spaces at the right time. He understands the difficulties it gives his opponents.
“He’s also increasingly good with his back to goal. He’s developed an ability to protect it, to keep it under pressure and to turn.
“This makes him a complete attacker, he’s very strong at running.”