· 3 June 2025, 18:00
**A report from Greece has named Newcastle United as a potential suitor for one of the country's most promising young stars.**
That should tell you everything you need to know right there, but in case you're new here, we'll break it all down for you.
Newcastle and Arsenal are said to be very keen to sign 18-year-old forward Charalampos 'Babis' Kostoulas from Olympiakos, who secured the league and cup double in Greece this season, qualifying for the Champions League.
Kostoulas, who turned 18 last week, scored 12 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions for Olympiacos, also adding two assists to his goal contribution tally.
Charalampos Kostoulas - Maybe a target for Newcastle, maybe not
It feels like Newcastle are being used to generate more interest
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Despite being contracted to Olympiakos until 2030, Arsenal and Brighton are circling the £34 million-rated centre-forward.
However, now, Greek outlet [Sport FM](https://www.sport-fm.gr/article/podosfairo/superleague1/tsanakas-etoimazei-terastia-prosfora-gia-kwstoula-i-nioukastl/5055435) have thrown Newcastle's name into the mix, suggesting we're to make a 'huge offer' which gives us massive "let's use Newcastle to force the issue" vibes, which seems to be a tactic often employed by foreign media when it comes to trying to drum up interest for their country's best players.
Newcastle's mega-rich backers make them an easy subject for foreign journalists to use as a tool to expedite sales, and obviously, farm for clicks.
Babis Kostoulas looks like he has plenty of potential but we're not convinced of the story's validity
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That being said, Kostoulas does tick a lot of boxes for an Eddie Howe signing - he's young, he's experienced with plenty of untapped potential, not to mention he is versatile, having played central attacking midfielder, centre forward and right winger for Olympiakos last season.
He could be a player Newcastle have a genuine interest in, and the story has gathered pace on these shores today, but they all point back to Sport FM's original story, and we're always apprehensive when the link originates in the player's home country rather than coming from a UK source - and even then, we're skeptical, we've been at this a while.
£34 million seems steep for someone who turned 18 four days ago and has only shone in the Greek Super League.