Even with Paul Mitchell’s impending departure from Newcastle, the club could and should continue to pursue wonderkids with the potential to be stars in the making.
From Antonio Cordero to Vakhtang Salia, the Newcastle project is slowly snapping up some hidden gems from the continent before anyone else.
And according to some bold claims that came via the Greek media late last night, another one-to-watch could be in line to receive an offer from St James’ Park this summer.
According to the Greek journalist Giorgos Tsanakas at Sport FM, Newcastle are set to present a ‘huge offer’ to Olympiacos for striker Babis Kostoulas.
The 18-year-old, who is also attracting interest from the likes of Brighton, starred for his side in the Europa League whilst Olympiacos also completed a domestic double.
Currently contracted until 2030, Kostoulas is set to command a hefty fee, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein reporting last month that the Seagulls were willing to offer £30m in a player-plus cash deal.
With six goals and one assist in 21 league appearances this season, as well as his role in the Greek giants’ deep Europa League run, it may be that we’re trying to beat Brighton to a gem who’ll b worth far more a few years down the line.
In the last week alone, Toon fans have already seen the club seemingly used as little more of a bargaining tool for agents and foreign press to hype up a player.
Take Joan Garcia from Espanyol, supposedly set to move to the North East, now very likely making a big money move to Barcelona just days later.
So until a local or major report comes in regarding any link between us and Kostoulas, this could be merely more talk designed to hype up a youngster and his potential.
Additionally, one factor that could complicate things for Newcastle is that Olympiacos are owned by Evangelos Marinakis, who of course also owns domestic rivals Nottingham Forest.
We saw last summer that Marinakis was incredibly hesitant to sell Anthony Elanga to us, so it wouldn’t be too far fetched to assume he won’t be open to selling his other side’s rising star to a league rival.