Newcastle United’s search for a new midfielder continues, and a new name has been added to the shortlist under consideration.
NUFCBlog can exclusively reveal that Ajax’s Kenneth Taylor is one to watch, with Eddie Howe determined to bring in another option ahead of the 2025/26 season to replace Sean Longstaff following his £15m move to Leeds last month.
The left-footed 23-year-old has been on the club’s radar for some time and could be available for a fee in the region of £25m should Newcastle formalise their interest.
Voted Ajax’s player of the season for 2024/25, Taylor scored 15 goals in all competitions for Ajax last term, along with eight assists. Five of those strikes came during a run to the last 16 of the Europa League, which Spurs eventually won.
He’s entered the final two years on his deal in Amsterdam and has also received interest from Porto, who held talks last month over a potential transfer.
The versatile midfielder has been capped five times by the Dutch national side and will be no stranger to current Mag Sven Botman, who he has played alongside both at youth level for the Netherlands and current club Ajax.
Eddie Howe confirmed his wish to bring in another midfielder last weekend, with a recent injury to Joe Willock increasing our need for additional depth:
“We had six (midfielders last season) and we want six (available for the 2025/26 season),” Howe said. “Now we are down to four, so that’s an issue for us. That is a position that we are looking in (to strengthen).”
“We don’t think Joe Willock’s injury is serious. I gave a prognosis of four to six weeks…that could be less. But I think it is an area that is a bit of a concern.”
Know nothing about this lad but I’d punt on him ver McGinn ….we could do with more goals from midfield trio and his stats in a weaker league are great if he’s been playing cm.
A risk but he wouldn’t lose much value if he flopped so not much to lose and while some Dutch stars flop in prem, plenty have succeeded.
Naptoon(Quote)
At that kind of money he could be worth a punt, rather go for him than mcginn
MorpethMag(Quote)
Agree, seen bits of him – good player albeit in a weaker league. At that price better than Mc ginn and probably rudoni, who’s decent too but playing at an even lower level and older. Good squad option and we need more goals from midfield
East stand(Quote)
It’s about time newcastle stopped considering players and started buying them. Pay the price the clubs are asking for. Stop scrimping and trying to save money. Clubs in the Premier have bought some cracking players including the markets. After all we are newcastle united. No wonder isak wants to leave
Jb(Quote)