Michael Olise may have been a dream signing this summer in our search for a new right winger, but it was always going to be an incredibly tough deal to pull off. And so it proved.
The Crystal Palace star is set for Bayern Munich, meaning Newcastle must move on in their pursuit of a Miguel Almiron upgrade. Yankuba Minteh’s sale also increases the need to get this signing right, with the Gambian considered an exciting player in the very position we need to strengthen.
So, who could we now turn to? Who has been linked? Who makes sense and which names may emerge who are yet to be mentioned?
Wolves’ Pedro Neto is an interesting one. He’s thought to be eyeing a summer move, he’s 24, has so much talent and is a left-footed right winger who could play down either flank. But he’s reportedly valued at around £50-60m; a huge fee given his history with hamstring injuries last season. There’s interest from Newcastle, but will we take the risk?
Then there’s Jarrod Bowen. He’s not a risk in terms of his goalscoring record and constant availability – he’s very rarely injured – but he’s also thought to be settled at West Ham. They’d demand huge money and he is 27, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we pursued a slightly younger option with the potential to be just as good.
That brings me to Bryan Mbeumo. He ticks so many boxes as a 24-year-old who offers pace, versatility – he performed well up front in Ivan Toney’s absence – intelligent movement, proven quality in the Premier League (15 goal involvements last season in just 26 outings) and the potential to get even better under Eddie Howe.
PSV’s Johan Bakayoko looks a huge talent made for the Premier League, although we may see it as a big risk if our most important summer signing comes from the Eredivisie. I wouldn’t rule out links with Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski – an international teammate of Alexander Isak’s – and Noni Madueke is thought to be on our list of options. If Chelsea sign another winger that puts his game time at risk, he could well leave despite a superb end to the 2023/24 campaign.
Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is an intriguing one. It was reportedly a toss up between him and Anthony Gordon 18 months ago after extensive scouting from Newcastle. Since then, he’s taken his game to new heights and has a €50m (£42m) clause in his contract. He can play down both flanks, has pace to burn and is only 21, but his displays at Euro 2024 with Spain have top clubs queuing up. It’s thought he’s also on massive wages at Bilbao and prefers to stay in Spain, with Barcelona the favourites to land him.
That brings me onto Barca’s Raphinha, who would be an incredible signing and has been linked before. He’s got a quality left foot, trickery, works hard for the team and has unfinished business in the Premier League after that spell at Leeds, but it would take big money for a 27-year-old, posing a similar dilemma to Bowen.
Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville has been discussed in recruitment meetings, according to The Athletic, but I do wonder if a right-footed winger who predominantly plays on the left is the answer down our right. I’d be very surprised if he signed.
As a side note, Morgan Gibbs-White may be one to keep an eye on. He ticks plenty boxes for Howe as a versatile attacker with plenty of potential, energy and fight, coupled with the fact Forest must sell for PSR reasons, although I’m not entirely sure where he’d fit as a right-footed attacking midfielder.
Who would you like to see us bring in?
Wouldn’t go any where near Raphina he has made it clear he doesn’t want to come to Newcastle on at least one occasion and seems to be a moody customer who thinks he is better than he is.
If he was as good as he thinks he is Barcelona would play him more often.
Joseph(Quote)
For me a simple choice between Bakayoko or Mbeumo
PremAndUp(Quote)
Pedro neto all day, even at 50m, if you’ve seen him play, he’s different class altogether, the only thing that makes him attainable for us, is his injuries, otherwise he’d be going for more than 50m and to a champions league club.
Buy the dip seems to he our MO, we should stick to it and snatch him while it’s possible.
Toonali87(Quote)
I like the idea of PL experience.
I rate Bowen highly I think him on the right & Gordon left of Isak would be deadly – but I don’t see him wanting to leave London.
I think Pedro Neto is an excellent player as well, but his injury record is a worry. He’s also been playing LWF for Portugal and if that’s preferred position, I think we are covered for that position.
Mbuemo is a player I think flies under the radar a little bit – certainly with me at least. He’s only 24, but he’s played 98 PL games and scored 21 goals with 22 assists – I think that’s a decent return to be fair – it’s a lot better than Miggys and Murphy’s that’s for sure.
The only issue I see is if they shift Toney – which seems likely this summer – I don’t see them letting him go.
I liked the link with Elanga over the weekend – but I’m not sure he’s ready to be our number 1. He’s had good experience with Forest last season – only managing 5 goals but getting 9 assists. That’s not setting the world alight, but he was making some good runs & getting into some good positions – the lad just lacked composure at times. I think he develops that under Howe.
I know it’s easy said, but only 5 more goals and he’s on Gordon stats – I don’t think that’s unrealistic if he was in this Newcastle team.
Sharpy17(Quote)