PSV Eindhoven forward Johan Bakayoko celebrates scoring the 4-1 goal during the match between Utrecht and PSV
PSV Eindhoven forward Johan Bakayoko celebrates scoring the 4-1 goal during the match between Utrecht and PSV
Newcastle United once appeared in a strong position to sign PSV winger Johan Bakayoko but the Belgian could now be playing his football at Bournemouth next season.
The Cherries have enquired about Bakayoko's services as they look to strengthen Andoni Iraola's squad, according to the Daily Mail, with PSV said to value the player at a little over £20m. That figure appears to have drastically dropped since Newcastle were credited with interest in late 2024.
Back then, the Magpies were hamstrung by PSR and subsequently unable to strengthen in the January window. Meanwhile, PSV were determined to keep the player until at least the end of the season, with a figure of £30m-plus said to be needed to secure the attacker's signature.
Newcastle's interest has since dwindled as other targets have been sought. These include the likes of Joao Pedro of Brighton and Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga.
Bakayoko has recently found first-team minutes hard to come by towards the back end of the campaign. In the Eredivisie, he was handed just 21 minutes vs FC Twente, 14 minutes vs Fortuna Sittard, three minutes against Feyenoord and 45 against Heracles Almelo towards the end of the season.
As such, the player asked to be considered for PSV's B team in order to keep his fitness up. Manager Peter Bosz obliged and Bakayoko featured in a 2-0 under-21 defeat to FC Eindhoven's youngsters in late April.
"It was Johan himself who requested to play with the B team," Bosz revealed last month. "I did not think our schedule would allow it, but we had sufficient time between our matches against Twente and Sittard, so it was possible.
"Johan is motivated and wants to gain the playing time he is missing with the first team. At his age, he is also eligible to play with Jong PSV. That’s all there is to it; it's certainly not a punishment."
Back on Tyneside, Newcastle are pushing to strengthen on the right of Eddie Howe's attack, with multiple targets assessed. Pedro and Elanga are the two stars at the top of the Magpies' shortlist but both talents will cost a pretty penny.
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