Despite losing sporting director Paul Mitchell, Newcastle United are pushing on with their summer transfer plans and could now sign one of their top targets for £65m when the window swings open.
Paul Mitchell to depart Newcastle
After just one season at the club, Mitchell has made the decision to leave St James' Park and hand Newcastle the job of finding a new sporting director this summer. In truth, Mitchell never truly made his mark in Tyneside and always had a tough job on his hands after replacing Dan Ashworth, only to enter a club desperately looking to comply with PSR regulations.
The sporting director released a statement after his departure was confirmed, saying: “I’d like to thank everyone at Newcastle United for their support over the last year, including Eddie Howe, Becky Langley, the players, staff, owners and fans. It has been an honour to be part of the club and to work with some incredible people.
"I'm leaving at a time that is right for me and the club, particularly with Darren Eales - someone who I have worked so closely with in my career - moving on soon. The club is in great hands on and off the pitch, and is in a fantastic position to continue building. I'd like to wish everyone connected with Newcastle United a bright and successful future."
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Newcastle are prepared to make a series of exciting signings in the transfer market.
Off the pitch, the Magpies will suddenly be an intriguing side to watch this summer as they look towards the market not just for fresh arrivals for Eddie Howe's squad, but also a new name behind the scenes.
With Champions League qualification only boosting their spending power ahead of the window too, whoever comes in to replace Mitchell could have quite the job on their hands. Their first move, no matter the new name, may even be to sign a Premier League rival for a hefty price.
Newcastle could now sign Kudus for £65m
According to Football Insider, Newcastle could now sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United for £65m this summer, with the London club ready to sell one the Magpies' top targets for a hefty fee in the coming months. However, it is a fee that his £20m less than the attacker's release clause, which should come as a boost to PIF.
It's a deal that PIF have already explored and one that certainly seems feasible following the Hammers' disastrous season. As Kudus eyes bigger and better things, those at St James' Park could spend big to come swooping in.
kudus-west-ham-united
Despite enduring a frustrating season in a poor West Ham side, Kudus has still found himself at the centre of Graham Potter's praise. The 50-year-old manager told reporters at the end of March: “I think Mo has had probably a season that, from his perspective, would be a little bit disappointing, not because of his lack of effort or anything like that, but sometimes these things happen.
“Speaking personally, he’s been great with us in terms of how he’s worked every day, fantastic. He has built his fitness up, built his condition up to the point where he can sustain things a lot better now."
Having reportedly explored a deal to sign the winger, whether Newcastle decide that Kudus' £65m valuation is worth pursuing will be the big question when the transfer window opens.