Last month, The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards reported that Belgian winger Johan Bakayoko had ‘featured prominently’ in recruitment meetings ahead of the January window.
His December ‘exclusive’ suggested that the 21-year-old was emerging as a key target heading into the new year, adding that all members of the club’s recruitment team were in favour of signing the PSV talent.
Although our hopes of signing a new right-winger this month appear remote ahead of Monday’s deadline, an intriguing update has now emerged on Bakayoko’s future.
Bakayoko bids incoming?
According to L’Equpe reporter Loïc Tanzi, Johan Bakayoko is one to watch over the final days of the January window as ‘at least two’ unnamed Premier League clubs are planning a late push to sign the PSV star.
After reporting that Marseille and Borussia Dortmund had joined the race to sign Lloyd Kelly, the journalist has left fans wondering if Newcastle may be one of those clubs.
Not only does this come following news of our interest, it seems slightly more plausible that we’d be in a position to launch a late bid now Miguel Almiron has banked us £10m following a return to MLS side Atlanta United.
Bakayoko’s agent has previously stated that the winger “will not leave” PSV this month, no matter what the offer, but Tanzi seems to think that won’t stop a couple of Premier League sides from trying.
Liverpool have been previously linked in their bid to find a long-term Mo Salah replacement, while Brentford launched a club-record bid back in 2023.
Late bid before stock rises?
On Wednesday night, the winger shone against Liverpool in the final league night of the Champions League, scoring a lovely goal after sitting down two defenders and firing into the corner.
With Almiron now sold, there may be the ‘headroom’ to make a late move, although local journalists continue to insist that it’s unlikely anyone arrives before Monday night’s deadline.
Time will tell, but a late attempt before his stock continues to rise could be one to watch – unless one of our rivals are trying to get in ahead of us.
